13 Keiari, 951
We head back to the ship to get all ready. I asked probably a thousand questions, especially to The Captain, what do Imperial naval officers do for these things? We were advised to go in uniform as we're representing Ataan (or pretending to) and 'on duty'. I got a quick crash course on how to act somewhat officer-like, and hope I don't blow it. I did see my dad deal with some officers here and there, but I basically didn't pay attention. Maybe I can just call on that and try to remember how it went.
Off we went to the feast, Zayne beat us there. Where the hell was he, anyway?
Of course the first topic was how we met Haliinural Beequs (Haliin) marooned on an island in a storm. Ras pushed me to tell it so I stumbled through a story. We got caught in a storm, anchored for the night, came across him who was all but feral and set up enormous traps that we had to get through but when we finally talked we came to an agreement and understanding that getting him back to his tribe was good for not just us but the Empire as a whole.
We spent time chatting with Tahal, who was excited to discuss magic. She's a little bookworm, doesn't have any of the primary magics. Can do the secondaries, though she prefers ritual magic (objectively the correct choice) and talked our ears off.
((Zayne, meanwhile, was dragged into helping some man's wife with preparing and setting up the feast. He got drafted into stirring a pot. He was promised alcohol as payment for his services. He made an excuse of just being a weary world-traveler, rather than a pirate, and won over some of the local village folk with natural charm))
I asked Tahal about neat rituals, you can capture a dream spirit and have it fly towards the thing you dreamed about. I'm going to have to write this down, or learn more about it. Zayne came by carting a huge pot of stew, and seemed to have spun a tale that he was once a part of our crew and now adventures solo. Haliinural Beequs (Haliin) went and made a big scene, as Ras tried to encourage to try and plant the seed and make it understandable when we have to hang back.
The feast went on and Ras put on a show to pretend that Haliin was forcing us to stay, then got me to march them back to the ship. Back at the ship Ras showed the Captain and I a book stuffed with letters between Aelrik and Delanaiya Elae. They discuss the Egg, dating back before the initial rush for it, and rituals that she tried and different ways to locate it. In the end there was a final ritual that required dragon-touched blood in order to find it. So, another thing to find in order to find the Egg.
It wasn't very specific, but it at least gives us some kind of lead. The Captain asked us if maybe the Emperor's blood carries the light and would be usable.
We have a few problems and things to deal with right now:
- Not get Pirate Hunted
- Drop off the prisoners
- Ship Haliin home, both for the cash and because I don't think we're complete jerks
- ???
- Find dragon egg.
Haliin was eavesdropping on the conversation, hanging out the window. Turns out he was using a ring he got from Delanaiya's office that allows him to spy at a distance. It was in Ras' room for a few days, at least. He thought I was being sarcastic about not wanting to leave him because we're not jerks, and seemed surprised when I said I wasn't. So was Ras. Jerk. He said that going to where his tribe is would be good because it's close, and good for us as we're hunting for the egg.
We discussed if bringing him back would be welcomed or not. He's essentially being hazed in a coming of age ritual. If he succeeds he should be rewarded and celebrated. If not, then he'll be shamed. Plus... His mother might have divine blood.
Our plan is to sail a day behind the Shining Sea Bass, wait for him to fight Haliin's mother, and collect the blood for the ritual, rob Haliin's tribe, and sail off into the distance to hunt the egg.
((Below are a collection of rituals copied from the other book, with surprisingly clean lines and delicate work - something clearly done with care by someone who enjoys the work))
14 Keiari, 951
Haliin apologized to Kartii, and she implied that the ol' pirate Hunter might have figured out his connection to the tribe he's hunting.