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Holmes: Haikain, sits on the shore of Green Lake checking out the skyship that landed there a bit ago disgorging people and other contents. As the boats land with suppllies, the one the Kaitaine colonists call Speckler is checking the manifests and making sure he's getting everything he's supposed to. Soldiers help him drag things back to the supply shed.
Holmes: As he sits near the lake, Haikain is vaguely aware of the presence of the spirits of the lake. Something about them seems very different from the other water spirits he's come into contact with in his life. Actually they seem more akin to the Great Island spirit than any of the others in some ways.
Holmes: Nearby the boat that he and Archelaus have put together sits waiting to head out into the lake for the ritual. Egani was interested in this, too, but he seems to have forgotten it for the nonce while he's completed his "creature."
Egani wanders down to the boat. "Hello Haikain. It's nice to see a skyship here. I wasn't expecting that."
Haikain: "Hmmm? Aye." He seems distracted.
Haikain shakes his head. "When did it land? Do you know?"
Egani: "Just a while ago. I was showing off Aaron at the time and missed the actual landing, but it hasn't been here long. I'm most excited because I'll be able to post home about this place."
Egani: "Hey, I haven't introduced you to Aaron, have I?"
Egani: "Where were you?"
Haikain: "Aaron? I don't beleive so. I've been busy with Archaelaus, building that boat." He gestures toward it. "And I took some time to check out some of the hills by the camp. Some interesting contours here."
Egani: "Archalaus was there. Anyway, Aaron is probably in my work-shed if you're interested. I think you'll enjoy his ability to help you process information and learn new stuff."
Holmes: As Haikain sits by the lake, he feels that something is different with how the spirits feel to him now. But, distracted by the conversation, he can't put his finger on it. There have been a couple of times in the past day or so when the same feeling has arisen, or something like it. But in each case, something has been on his mind, and he's missed it.
Haikain decides that hes been sitting by the lake long enough for one day. "Sure, introduce me to Aaron."
Egani leads the way.
Holmes: As they head towards Egani's house, they note Archelaus being addressed stentoriously bya tall woman in a green and black dress.
Egani veers in that direction to barge in.
Haikain follows
Holmes: "I think you ought to leave, you're in over your head, my dear!" says the black haired woman. She seems to be slightly younger than Archelaus, but it's hard to tell for sure.
Egani stands close, but off to the side waiting for Archelaus to recognize him.
Haikain follows
Archelaus: "So...dear, You aren't here merely for the pleasure of my company?"
Holmes: "Of all the nerve. As if I don't have critically important business to attend to here! You're the same pompous fool you always were, Archie," she actually snorts with derision.
Haikain holds in a laugh. "Archie?" he whispers to Egani
Egani shrugs.
Archelaus moves away from her a narrow eyelash distance.
Archelaus: "And who might that business be with? I could perhaps give you a tour, introduce you to the gang."
Archelaus: A note of insencerity can be detected in Archelaus' voice.
Holmes: "I have business of a....metaphysical nature," something seems to dawn on her. "You're not here because that ecplise happened her a few days ago, are you?"
Archelaus: "Eclipse? Hmm, an interesting thing to see, I'm sure. Was it important?"
Holmes: "Don't try to lie to me, Archie, you never could, and you never will be able to do so," she fires off. "I suppose you think that it has something to do with your wierd ideas about Valris, just because it was a celestial phenomenon. Pathetic."
Egani clears his throat, "Ahem!"
Holmes: The woman shoots a look at Egani who she stands several inches above in height. But she says nothing, as if waiting for some insult to be assuaged.
Egani: "I hate to interrupt, but I was wondering if you could give me a hand with Haikain and Aaron?" Egani addresses Archie, more or less ignoring the obnoxious woman.
Haikain: "I actually have a couple more questions about the boat as well, elder. If you have time."
Holmes: *
Holmes: At this point, somebody in the crowd nearer the shore and the ship screams. Some commotion is occuring.
Haikain spins. "I'll meet Aaron later..." he trots towards said commotion.
Archelaus: "Please, my dear. Join us in the camp for our daily attack."
Holmes: Amestris frowns, and follows the pair to see what the ruckus is about.
Egani tags along.

Holmes: Isadora's mother comes up behind her, "This is no place for any daughter of mine! You're coming home with me on the skyship out!"
Sebastian: Sebastian takes another look at Isadora with a "Want me to intercept her?" look.
Isadora spins and looks briefly petrified, then straightens. "Mother, this place would fall apart if I did that! I can't leave now--duty forbids it." She casts a fleeting helpless look at Sebastian.
Sebastian: Sebastian steps forwars smoothly. "My Lady, I don't believe we have been properly introduced. I am Sebastian. Shall I escort you to a place where there is some shade and you might get a cool drink?"
Holmes: "I'm not leaving this spot until I get an assurance from the captain that he will not leave without my say-so," she looks Sebastian over, nonplussed. "Can you arrange that?"
Sebastian: Sebastian smiles confidently. "Of course, my lady." He gestures and Alexander appears from somewhere in the crowd. Sebastian speaks with him shortly, Alexander nods firmly, and then disappears. "It is taken care of, if you'd care for a drink?"
Isadora, recovering a bit more of her composure, adds, "You should take the chance to rest, mother. Things can be quite hectic in our little outpost."
Holmes: "I should say so. No place for a lady of breeding," she looks disapprovingly at Adrienne. "What would the Count of Nadgard say, if he heard you were running around in some wilderland with giant snakes?"
Isadora looks like she's choosing her words carefully. "He'd say 'Isadora, who is that?' because he'd have no reason to care, surely?"
Holmes: "Ah, but I think he would care, because, my darling, you see, I've been talking with the eligible count, and he's ready to take another bride," she continues with satisfaction.
Isadora: "Really? That's, ah, wonderful news. Whatever happened to the last one, remind me?"
Holmes: "Garanstas? Oh, he wasn't suitable for you, dear. Too low on the social ladder, you know. We have to keep our ability to run in the right financial circles open, dearie, mustn't we?," she goes on somewhat absently.
Isadora: "No, the last bride," Isadora corrects gently.
Holmes: "Oh, didn't you know? Died from harbor fever. Mixed with some of the wrong company, I'd guess. You'd be a much better bride for him anyhow," she's into a full-blown ramble now.
Isadora: "Perhaps my good mother, with all the affairs of trade and art that occupy her, has forgotten my last mixture with high society? It bears some connection to my current posting."
Holmes: "Yes, well that's my point, dear. Your reputation isn't getting any better out here. We'll go back, and I'll just explain to Marvars that you're just not cut out for this rough existence out here, and it'll all be settled," she says with conviction.
Isadora: "Curiously enough, I think Lord Marvars might have come to that conclusion separately," Isadora says, trying to buy herself time to think.
Sebastian: Sebastian steps in again. He looks up at the sun, "It is quite hot out here, might I suggest adjourning to some place a bit cooler?"
Isadora: "We can go to my tent, or... Leuta! Surely you'd love to see her?" Isadora pounces on the idea.
Holmes: "Yes, yes, where's my poopseykins?" she says casting about.
Isadora winces when her mother isn't looking, then gestures broadly with one arm. "Right this way. I'm sure she'll be as delighted to see you as I am."

Holmes: As they look for Leuta, Jilliams comes up to Isadora. "M'ladies," he says, bowing low to Isadora's mother. "That odd man, Egani? He has suggested feeding some of the serpent to Mitsis the prisoner. Shall I tell him no?"
Isadora frowns. "Not Mitsis. I have someone else in mind, but I'll need to talk to him first. So tell Egani to wait."
Holmes: "As you wish," says Jilliams dutifully, and is off.
Holmes: Just as Isadora's mother is settling into a chair, Sebastian rounds the corner with Leuta trailing.
Holmes: "Ah, my dearest Leuta, there you are!" she says. Then maternally, "I should lock you up, missie. Running away like that. When I had such good prospects lined up for you!"
Isadora: "Leuta deserves the best. She can have mine, too." Isadora smiles helpfully.
Sebastian: Sebastian smiles slightly, "If I might have a word with Lady Isadora for a moment. You two catch up, we'll be right back..."
Holmes: Lady Aspasia frowns at her daughter, "Isadora, don't be impertinent. What's that, Mr. Sebastian? Oh, yes, we'll chat."
Sebastian: Sebastian steps just outside the tent.
Isadora: "I'll be right back," Isadora says brightly, then steps outside with Sebastian.
Sebastian: Sebastian looks questioningly at Isadora. "Do you wish me to... handle the problem of your mother? It seems that she's going to be quite a handful, and you've got more pressing matters to tend to..."
Isadora: "Handle...?" Isaodra draws a finger across her throat, arching her brows.
Sebastian: "Well, that's definitely a possibility, though it might be a bit extreme. She seems to be the sort that could be easily distracted given the right situation..."
Isadora smirks. "She's hard to slow down once she's gotten started. I'd love the assistance, but don't throw yourself before the wheels of the chariot needlessly. Let me see how serious she is first." She frowns. "She can't seriously think I'd be a good match for someone at home, so there must be something else."
Sebastian: Sebastian nods, "Just let me know if you want me to provide a graceful exit for you..." He smiles, it almost seems to be a real smile.
Isadora: "You're a true friend, Sebastian. But she'll come looking for me in a minute." Isadora turns and ducks back into the tent.
Sebastian: Sebastian follows, idly taking a piece of paper out of his pocket and folding it slowly.
Holmes: Once settled inside the tent, Leuta and her mother are gossiping away at a tremendous rate. After a bit, Fazeris comes in.
Holmes: He looks at Isadora, her mother, and back at Isadora, and smiles. "So, does this mean that you're returning after all, Isadora?"
Isadora gives him a thin-lipped smile in return. "I have no firm plans, yet. But my duty here is compelling."
Holmes: He gives her a look that says, "I gave you a chance."
Holmes: "Lady Aspasia," he addresses the sweating woman just as she takes a break from chatting with her younger daughter. "I believe that your daughter Leuta has something to tell you."
Isadora shrugs back at him--if chances can't be refused, they're traps and not opportunities.
Holmes: Leuta, now looks trapped, however.
Isadora: "Perhaps we shouldn't burden mother too much, now--she's only just arrived."
Holmes: "Oh, but it's quite important, isn't it, Leuta?" Fazeris presses.
Holmes: But he's too late, Sebastian hands over a small bit of paper explaining that it's supposed to be a coat of arms. No matter it doesn't look right, he's got the Aspasia well in hand. Fazeris gives up.
Holmes: "I'll be back later. We do need to discuss it!" he leaves somewhat disgusted.

Holmes: As Isadora turns slowly, possibly with the hope that it's not her mother's voice she heard, she verifies that indeed the grand dame of her household has deigned to travel to the far frontier. To Okhfels and Sebastian who have never seen this woman, she is a mammoth specimen of a female - both big for a woman, and with too much weight. An assistant helps her along.
Okhfels: Okhfels stares.
Sebastian: Sebastian looks searchingly at Isadora, gauging how much she would appreciate a timely distraction.
Holmes: The attire on the lady claiming to be Isadora's mother is quite ostentatious, to use a kind word. Many birds it would seem have been sacrificed to create her atire, including the large hat she wears, "Isadora, this is such a beastly place. Isn't there somewhere we can go to get out of this heat? I feel that I shall wilt if I do not get inside."
Holmes: Okhfels turns hearing something behind him, and notes the swamp grass parting just behind the prisoner that he holds to the side. Just before it surges forward he sees that it's the head of the huge serpent that emerged from the lake days ago. It lunges for the prisoner.
Okhfels: Gah!
Okhfels leaps forward to smack it on the nose with his sword. "Mine!"
Holmes: The sword sizzles as it touches the nose end of the huge head.
Holmes: The snake decides not to have Salast's henchman for lunch, but turns it's attention to Okhfels. Apparently it's very hungry today.
Okhfels backs off, leading the creature towards his encampment.
Okhfels makes sure the sword stays nice and hot... it seems to be attracted...
Holmes: Several people in the crowd shriek as they see the snake coming out into the clearing. It continues to follow Okhfels, however.
Okhfels shouts to his men, calling them out. They've been drilling, they ought to be quick by now...
Holmes: The soldiers organize, and array themselves neatly before the thing as he leads it towards them.
Holmes: As he does, the drum beats in time with Okhfels commands. The men follow his orders with excellent precision, and just at his command, they pounce on it. As they pin it down, Okhfels himself comes in for the killing blow, driving his sword into its mouth, and through it's skull, the tip protruyding just inches out of it.
Holmes: It spasms, and then drops dead a few moments later. One of the soldiers is hurt somewhat by it's thrashing, but othewise the men are safe.
Holmes: As it ceases moving, the crowd slowly closes in fora closer look.
Haikain makes his way to the front, peering at the creature
Okhfels withdraws his sword with a frustrated yank.
Okhfels: Several pieces of seared flesh are stuck to it. Possibly brains.
Archelaus follows Haikain, trying examine the creature while simultaneously keeping an eye on Amestris.
Holmes: Speckler comes over to the creature, and starts eying it up. He makes some phantom gestures at it, and shakes his head in disbelief. It would seem he's trying to figure out how to cook the thing.
Okhfels cleans off his sword, and sends a man to take care of the injured man. The other men can stand down.
Holmes: As Haikain looks at the dead creature, he's positive that this thing has nothing at all to do with the spirits of the lake. Not a spiritual thing at all, in fact. Just as sure of this are Egani and Archelaus that the serpent is a thing spawned by the White Woods.
Holmes: To Egani, it's got the same patterns as some of the essence found there. To Archelaus, it fits the patterns seen in the night sky over the White Wood. Whatever was watching sent this...
Egani looks a little uneasy. "I wonder if there are...more of these..."
Okhfels: "What?"
Holmes: Speckler looks over, too. Somewhat excited by the prospect.
Holmes: "We can eat for weeks off of one of these."
Haikain: I haven't seen a creature this big since my travels through the jungles of K-
Okhfels goes over to Egani.
Okhfels: "Did you say MORE of these?"
Egani: "This thing is from the White Wood. I'm just wondering if they're common."
Egani: Bending down, looking at it, Egani mutters "Wonder what it eats."
Haikain: "I ran into...well, climbed over, actually...a whole family of these beasts in Khum-Kaan. I don't know if this is related to those or not, its many miles from here to there."
Okhfels: "You mean aside from PEOPLE?"
Egani: "Well, I don't get the idea that there are lots of people in there. This thing must eat pretty frequently, right?"
Okhfels: "One is enough. If another one shows up, we'll kill it, too. Until then, I have more important things to deal with."
Okhfels calls out.
Okhfels: "Everyone! Let's get this thing carved up and smoked before it starts rotting!"
Okhfels stalks off, having remembered that he has a boat to take care of.
Egani draws out a foot-long leather wallet and unwraps three razor-sharp knives.
Haikain: "Are you dissecting it or just cutting it up?"
Egani: "This skin is remarkably durable...this will do nicely." And with that, Egani begins to skin the beast, trying to be quick enough to keep the meat scavangers happy.
Archelaus: "Do you know something of anatomy?"
Holmes: Egani notes as he starts to cut that the essence of such a beast, if consumed would have ill effects on the soul of the eater. Well, potentially. Hard to say.
Haikain: "Some. I usually don't have the opportunity to...poke around."
Egani: "I don't think I'd suggest eating this."
Holmes: Speckler's face suddenly drops. "Why not?"
Holmes: "I know good recipies for snake."
Egani: "Well, actually, I'd really like it if someone would, so I could observe the effects. But, I don't think that I could, in good concience, let that happen without at least warning everyone that there may be danger."
Holmes: "What kind of danger?" Speckler continues hoping that it's very slight, obviously. "A rash?"
Okhfels: (I'm out of the scene by the way...)
Egani: "I'm afraid that because of the creature's...origin, it might interfere with your soul. But I really can't be sure. Do we have any winos or condemned prisoners?"
Haikain: "Wouldn't they have souls too, Egani?"
Egani: "Yes, precisely."
Haikain stares
Egani continues to work on harvesting an ass-load of snake skin.
Haikain turns away, disgusted - but not with the surgery
Holmes: One of the soldiers proffers, "There's the prisoner, Mitsis. I could ask Isadora if he should be used to test it?"
Holmes: He seems very unsure here.
Egani: "I don't think it would be right if he isn't already condemned to die...Is he?"
Holmes: "Not sure," says the soldier, somewhat slackjawedly. "But she's right over there."
Egani: "Well sure, go find out if there's someone appropriate to eat the snake."
Archelaus: "I'm sure there are some tests we could perform that don't immediately require a human subject."
Archelaus: "I imagine that the innards of this creature could provide us with interesting omens. If laid out and compared to the far more perfect patterns of the sky."
Egani: "Well, um, go for it."
Haikain: "Enjoy your beast." Haikain leaves through the thinning crowd.
Archelaus: "Perhaps with the aid of your knife, Egani, we could pull out some more entrails."
Egani: "You might be better off with a machete."
Archelaus: "Tehu, find a machete would you. Be a good fellow."
Holmes: Amestris watches Archelaus from the crowd with a look of disdain on her face.
Holmes: Tehu gets to the edge of the crowd, and one of the Rhiani there hands him his scimitar. He brings this back to Archelaus.
Archelaus: "All of you, now. Hack away at it, but just though the muscle. Yes, soldier you too. We won't get this opportunity every day."
Archelaus: "Don't give it to me for goodness sake, Tehu. Hack, man, hack."
Holmes: Tehu shrugs somewhat hoplessly, and then starts hacking as instructed.
Archelaus encourages everyone to join in, then starts slowly hauling out the thing's guts.
Archelaus starts quietly chanting and then wanders about laying the entrails in a seemingly random pattern.
Holmes: Amestris makes a rude sound from where she watches on. Without looking Archelaus knows that her eyes are rolling into the back of her head.
Archelaus: When they've been laid out, he seems to regain focus, then draws a diagram on the ground beside (and sometimes over) the snakes innards.
Holmes: Once laid out, Archelaus pours over the information he sees in the snake's essence. Relating the patterns to those in the stars, and using quick mathematical deductions, he comes to a conclusion after a bit. A disturbing conclusion. The being is associaed with Tlathog Ashtael. Which can only mean that his mathematics that brought him here must have been in error.
Holmes: And those that obviously broght his wife here were correct...

Holmes: Haikain comes to the shore again, and notes Okhfels manhandling their boat till it's above his head. He looks to be taking it somewhere. It dawns on him peripherially at this point that his left leg has been itching, and has been building up like this all day long.
Haikain: Absentmindedly scratching, he gets Okhfels attention. "Where are you taking our boat, big man?"
Okhfels: "Away from the lake."
Haikain: "Why?"
Okhfels: "I was told to."
Okhfels pulls the boat up alongside a HUGE rock.
Haikain: "Are you going to leave it there, or will I need to track it down whenever the astrologer remembers that we had plans?"
Okhfels: "Ask Isadora." Okhfels picks up the rock (clearly way too big for the three weakling "mad scientists" to lift by themselves) and puts it in the boat.
Okhfels: "I don't mean for anyone else to move it from here."
Haikain: "oh."
Haikain: "Umm...can I just talk to Isadora, or do I need to make an appointment?"
Holmes: The heat must be getting to Haikain, perhaps the dryness of the air (despite the swamps). He feels a bit winded just watching Okhfels.
Haikain sits down, scratching his leg with both hands, craning his neck up to receive Okhfels reply
Okhfels: "Everyone else just talks to her. She doesn't seem to think much of you, though."
Haikain: "Oh." He wipes the sweat from his brow.
Okhfels: "Messing around with the lake... there's some big magic around the lake."
Haikain: "Look, Okhfels...I need to get out on that lake. Something's happening to me, I can't think out here on the shoreline, I need to get closer to whatevers out there." Haikain's pleading now.
Holmes: Just as he says this, Haikain begins to faint off. He sees himself underwater. Below him is something deep in the lake, but it's obviously a building of some sort. A large building. Streams of bubbles come up from it.
Holmes: And they're inside it.
Haikain: "Please...." his eyes roll up in his head and he slumps over, unconscious.
Okhfels catches Haikain and slings him over his shoulder. "Damned wizards. Don't mess with mercenaries, you're crunchy and good with ketchup."
Okhfels starts hiking back to the camp.

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