Points of Departure

 

Points checks the boarding ramp knot again.  It had not come loose like the other eight times he had checked it. “Never hurts to be sure…” he mutters to himself.  He looks back at his vessel and moves to the far rail.  Looking down on the Stormreach harbor he wonders yet again if this is smart.

Hoch’s warnings echoed in his ears.  He too had misgivings but he needed to try.  The delays week after week, the untrained elemental, woodrot, crew demanding higher pay, he has come through a lot to get to this point but at least we are ready.

His previous two ships had both been destroyed by a dragon.  Well, his mother masquerading as a dragon… or was she really a dragon?  He doubts that.  Nothing other than those two incidents made that seem probable.  Despite that though, he knows he has to try to reason with the Dragons.

His exploits in Gianthold for Cydonie had even begrudgingly impressed Genecia.  His crew could handle almost anything thrown at them, save a dragon.  So with his ‘in’ through Cydonie, he had established communications with some Dragons in Argonessen.  His hope is to create greater understanding between them and the people of Xendrik, Stormreach and most especially his ships.

His ships can provide a discrete method for the dragons to come to Stormreach and also keeps them close so he can determine their purpose.  Their mysterious ‘prophecy’ seems near at hand and the spymasters of Phiarlin are paying well for more information.

He has spent millions of gold building the base as close to Argonessen as possible.  A medium sized Aerenal island nearest to Argonessen, the dragons could easily fly across the straight and shape change before boarding his ship.  The last report he got from ‘Points’ Landing’ was that all was quiet but some of the locals have been restless…

A floating crane arrives with a load of provisions.  He watches as his crew hops to and begins the loading process.  The Thastolia (Elvish for ‘Family’) is a stout ship, crewed by able air-men.  Their Captain, Cirrus, an experienced old salt with a life time of airship experience.  Points enticed him out of retirement to command this ship.  He is only here for a handful of runs and then he is returning home a wealthy man.  A very wealthy man…

The crates have all been removed from the deck and the crane is already moving off.  His crew nowhere to be seen.  Thankful for that ‘courtesy’ he refuses to get to close to these men.  Considering what happened to his last crew, he thinks it for the best. 

Points watches the sun rise and wonders who will be first.  He moves across and checks the knot on the boarding ramp again. “Never hurts to be sure…”

Points waits for the first passengers to arrive at the top of the spire. Anxious… “My family is on this flight.  Have I done everything I can to keep everyone safe?”

Points returns the hug.  "Welcome aboard my friend... I didn't think you were coming on this one."

Hoch dumps two huge sacks of scrolls, weapons, armor, and supplies into the lift leading up to the airship docks.  He doesn’t take this much when he goes to Shavarath, but this trip and its purpose has caused him great angst.

Once all of his gear is loaded he gives a nod to the lift operator to let him know that he is ready.  As he ascends upwards to the airship all of the problems with this trip flood his mind.

‘What could Points possibly think to gain from this adventure?  A deal with the dragons is he insane?  Why would the dragons agree to this – what other sinister motives do they really have behind this?  And if the Draleus Tairn ever find out about this and report that he is involved, would he ever be allowed to return to Aerenal?’

He pondered that thought for a few moments before the obvious answer came to him. ‘No, if they really found out about this they would simply burn the ship out of the sky.  What about the Aereni outpost used to search and report Argonnessen attacks?  Points would have thought of all of this I’m sure.  He’s a rogue, sneaking is what he does best…everything will be fine...calm yourself and relax.’

As the lift reached the top he saw Points and Zolt standing by the gang plank.  He reached down and hefted his sacks onto his shoulders and walks up to the pair.

 “So, where have I been assigned?”

Nklos smile as he watches other begin to come toward the ship, and smiles at their words of greetings, not wanting to interrupt Points as he greeted people.  When there was a pause in the arrivals he hoped up on a ledge and took a seat.

"Oh how could I miss this?  The city has been far to dull for me lately, no one abducting or killing me.  No devil invasions or trials.  I was going to go mad if I had to wait much longer." He speaks the words with out realizing he is running a hand up and down the scar running the length of his forearm.  When his actions click in his head he adds in.  “Just let me know when were a little more than a nights out of Dragon territory.  So I can change into robes a little more fitting for our destination.”  He cracks a smile.  “Went all the way to Zilargo to have them custom made for the trip.”

With some difficulty, Valianna finally persuaded Tyrael to leave the pool in the Marketplace and allow her to dry him off.  She chattered to the toddler as she wrapped the towel around him and patted him dry.  "We have to get to the ship now, sweeting, otherwise daddy might leave without us and we don't want that, do we?  Are you looking forward to going on an airship again?"

Ty wriggled in her arms and grinned broadly.  "Ship!" he announced, bobbing his head eagerly.  "Dada ship go fly!"

"That's right, daddy's ship can fly.  Won't that be fun?"  Vali checked that the Featherfall-enchanted bracelet was still secure around her son's wrist as she dressed him, tapping it to bring it to his attention.  "This is very important, sweeting... it keeps you safe.  Okay?"

"I safe," the child beamed, wrapping his arms around her neck and hugging her.  "Mama safe?"

She smiled softly and hugged him tight.  "Yes, mama and papa are safe too."  She sighed as she tried hard not to worry about the vast sum of money they had sunk into this latest venture, and especially tried to avoid thinking about the fate of the Mos Kali.  She gave herself a little shake and smiled wider at her son as she ruffled his white hair gently.  "Let's make sure we have everything, shall we?"  She opened the two large packs that sat nearby and checked the contents for at least the fourth time that morning.  Ty's blue eyes gleamed as he spotted one of his favourite cloth rabbits in the pack nearest him, and he dived for it eagerly.  Vali chuckled and let him take it - there were others hidden away for emergencies.  "Keep him safe too, huh?"  The boy nodded solemnly and clutched the toy to his chest as he waited for his mother to finish her preparations.

Feeling that she must have allowed enough time to pass for the ship to be loaded, and there was no need to keep out of the way any longer, Vali stood and hoisted one pack over her shoulder.  Picking up the other, she held out her free hand to Tyrael.  "Come along, then... let's go find daddy."

"Dada!  Fly!!"  Ty grabbed her hand and happily trotted along beside her as they made their way slowly across the Marketplace to the Spire.

Vali paused and looked up at the ship gleaming in the early light, sleek and beautiful.  "This had better be worth it..." she muttered to herself, as she took a deep breath and asked the spire keeper to take them up.

Stepping out by the ship, she smiled as Ty waved the rabbit happily at Points and looked around wide-eyed at the ship.  She glanced around and was pleased to see a number of people already gathering on deck... and very surprised to see Hoch there.  Before she could comment, Tyrael gave a little squeal and pulled his hand away, running across the deck towards Nklos to wrap his arms around the halfling's legs.  "Unca Nikkos!"  He grinned up at the rogue, then looked around and beamed at Zoltando.  "Unca Zol, I go fly!

Shaking her head and smiling, Vali nodded a greeting to the others and favoured Nklos with a stern look.  "Don't let him fall..."  She gave Points a kiss on the cheek and headed towards the cabins.  "I'll just dump this stuff, then I'll be back - how soon are we leaving?  Is Jeatra here yet?"