They draw upon the island, the one that Hippofilius calls home. As they approach the shore, they spot a group of monks with some food in the centre of their triangle. Before they can consider their options they spot some large monstrous creatures approaching them - giant scorpions.
Stingers
Theo seems to jump into action first, aiming a fireball at the furthest of the monsters.
The rest of the party follow his movement, taking charge at the scorpions. Between them they managed to bloody the monsters, but not before one of them grabs Theo within his claws and takes down two of the monks by the fire.
Xan screams at the top of her lungs to distract the monster, and it does seem to work, and she is able to get in a shot with one of her dorata. It falls, retaining it’s dead grip of Theo.
Before she can think again another of the scorpions runs up to her meanicingly. She manages to dodge it’s claws but a stinger catches her arm. She dodgers it and only catches a graze.
As she jumps over it’s claws she feigns fear at the now-bear form of Hipofilius, confusing the beast. She takes her opportunity to stab it in the side, grimacing as it’s shell cracks and bends, and ask Hipofilius the Bear violently removes it’s tail.
It falls dead.
She hears shoutign from across the sands, and past the small figure of Theo in the middle, spots the monks beating another of the scorpions to death. Behind them she sees what is possibly Helikeon facing down one scorpion on his own.
They take down the last scorpion in a fatal blow.
The three monks introduce themselves - the leader named Petris. They have arrived at the island to take down the scorpions and start their journey to be a strong soldier. He asks of they would join them in their journey across the island.
They have been on the island three days, and have tracked and killed scorpions, and given them their funeral rights. Their trap - that the party came across - seemed to have failed and they were lucky the Chosen came across them when they did. Hipofilius agrees that they should join them, but not before lying the scorpions to rest properly.
Hipofilius seems to take something from the scorpions before they burn them. While they work, Xan stands guard watching the soldiers move about.
When Theo questions the rituals, it comes to light that any of the Chosen who had slain a scorpion may also have an opportunity to bond with a centaur. Xan looks at Hipofilius but he is stony faced, not giving anything away.
Camp
They arrive at the Aresian camp, where another fire burns away, tended by an elderly centaur. He greets them and calls to another. Cy steps from the shadows and addresses them.
After some banter about the games, they greet Cy warmly. The older of the centaur is named Equus. Hipofilius walks to Equus and they quietly exchange pleasantries. Hipofilius introduces the Chosen to him but it seems they have some other business to attend to. Xan sits with Cy at the fire and they share stories of their athleticism and possibly exaggerated battle conquests.
The crackle of the fire and the rush of the waves remind Xan of her home. The only thing missing is the raucous sounds of the shack in the centre of town where the other Exiles gathered after a hard days work and let off steam. The Aresians will surely see to that after the ceremony.
As they talk further the discussion turns into more of a competition, and a few throwis into the fire and some loud disagreements about who threw it best, Alke slides up to Cy and quietly calms the conversation. She asks him about Aresia and what has been going down since the games.
Xan wanders off in her head, staring into the fire and reimagining her exploits in the games in a much more dramatic fashion than they really happened. Almost out of the blue Cy seems to challenge Alke to a gentle boxing match. As they spar the Aresians cheer them on and Theo excitedly points to the match. Alke is shameless beaten and Loreus eagerly joins her at the fire as soon as it’s over. Calliope gently hums a song to those sat around the fire and it brings a sense of calm and healing to the surrounding air. Xan half sings and half speaks a song that matches the rhythm of Calliopes song, one she vaguely remembers from the shack at home.
Hipofilius returns from his walk with Equus, and tells them that they will find what they need at the middle of the island, where the lotus witch lives. It - like all the journeys they have been on recently - seems to be a dangerous place to visit. He says they have a choice - they can either go now or join the celebrations and go on this journey tomorrow.
Braz suggests they go now, and though many who visit don’t return, but they may be the exception. It seems there are flowers on their journey, lotus flowers, that may cause them to fall asleep. Magic flowers. Unsurprising. They discuss ways to reach her, with Kyrah art their side.
Equus assured the party that anyone left at the camp will be safe and protected until they return.
Tower
They reach the obelisk at the centre of the island but between them is a field of lotus flowers. Xan gently pokes at the flowers with her toe, but the flowers seem to spring back up. Xan thinks of ways she could get through the flowers. She smothers her face with her cape and steps gingerly into the flowers. She finds her way quite far across the flowers but can only hold her balance as the skies spin - the sun setting and rising in the wrong end of the skies.
They come to a door, one that wasn’t there before. The rest of the Chosen join Xan at the door, as they hear noises from inside the tower of children. Helikaon peers inside and tells them it is filled with children. Perhaps children that were adults once. Changed by magics.
Xan quickly glances over herself to check they have not been turned back to children, but she is still seemingly her age. The child - Leander - tells them to go and see the witch. She is angry now.
The spiral staircase seems to go on forever, and time slows down. After around 200ft of stairs they come to a small window in the stairwell. It looks odd. Some windows bring moonlight and some sun. The sunny windows show golden sunlight, beautiful view of a rising mountain vista with temples carved into the bottom mountains. Theo mutters something about the Fields of Elysium and Olympus.
Xan sticks her head out the window and sees they are high up in a golden world - but they seem to be floating? No more tower. She runs to catch up with Helikaon and tells him to look from the window.
The next is red - a sunset? But it seems to be moving. Something monstrous is out there. A fire demon. The smarter of the group seem to speak about some planes of existence with monsters.
The third windows is elemental - water, earth, fire and air. The astral plane?
The fourth is dismal, greay, dark, dull and depressing. Like someone sucked the life out of it. But they can hear marching. Death.
The fifth window holds a battle. A city with high walls and soldiers clashing spears with an army outside the city walls. A blond man fights a brown haired warrior. The War of Troy. A shout cries out: “HECTOR.” Xan stares in awe at the blond fighter, his hair shining as bright as her is.
The next window is much further up than the rest of the windows, and has a pane of glass. Though as they lok out they see the shapes of the islands - Thylea. They are directly above Scorpion island and can see the other islands. Xan squints to try to find her own home island. The fire at Scorpion Island gave her warmer feelings about her home land. Theo tells them to not touch the glass - the air is thin up here.
The last of the windows shows a vast wall being built in a mountain path, alongside a giant tower with an eye at the top.
They continue to the top of the staircase. The stairs open into an open space, covered in carved drawings scratched into the rock. A winged lion with the face of a woman appears. She steps and curls up like a cat. THe window behind her shows the islands.
“I am the lotus witch, why have you disturbed my contemplation?”