OK…
Ahappi was clinging to consciousness while Dividd lay in shock nearby. You inspected them while the pigs watched with oddly calm interest, and found that they both were alive, with blood seeping from every orifice and a sickly stench now emanating from the Captain, whose skin had taken on an uncouth waxy sheen.
Narak spoke in clipped tones to her people in their own dialect, then came over to Boamund. She was still very shaken by these events, not her usual strong, controlled self. She explained to Boamund how she had invoked the blessings of the Earthmaker (the Mraloti name for Makan) to un-curse Dividd, a power that she as a Mumbor (matriarch-priestess) of Entra the Pigmother was strong in. There was an undercurrent there that she had other powers, perhaps stronger than you'd thought before, but Boamund didn't pursue this.
Fraud Shaven soon joined the conversation as Narak insisted, apparently regaining some confidence (and rudeness way beyond her caste) that everyone must leave the mudflats now, that this evil was not what she expected and the Mraloti had done all they could. Boamund kindly complied, beginning to gather you together. Bobard wrestled with Verker, who still was very agitated, and pinned him, but soon Verker calmed although he sputtered raving words to his people once he rejoined them, and cast grudge-laden glances back at Bobard. Ahappi began stirring more, groaning a word or two. You left Verker with the Giranois camp and returned home to Aria's Well to rest, as evening approached.
Boamund sent for Fraud Shaven after ensuring that Dividd was securely imprisoned. Fraud balked at the lord's gall in summoning him thusly, but soon they got on with their conversation: Boamund was weighing punishment for the traitorous Dividd. Immediate execution would be typical even for a merciful Lord under such circumstances, but Fraud convinced Boamund to bide his time, observing the situation and gathering information before passing judgement. Boamund asked Fraud to keep an eye on Ahappi, given their “special rapport”, but also to speedily visit the Giranois of the Sottogh clan to finish negotiations now that the sorceror's ghost was laid to rest. Fraud left scowling at these “orders”, and went to see how Ahappi was doing.
Curly and Bobard, with first mate Jim still reeling at the strangeness of the Captain's plight and waffling at what to do, opted to give their smelly skipper a bath, and so he was deposited in a barrel and given a good thorough scrubbing. Ahappi continued to regain his wits and soon was conversing with them, although something was odd about his demeanour… But who were these simple sailors to question their master? Questions started to arise once Lord Shaven arrived, but decisions came quickly: with night arriving too, the Night Channel was open and so you could take the Captain to St Thosos for treatment and the Baron's advice. The crew weighed anchor with the Shadow and began to depart, as a strong wind blew up from the south and Ahappi leapt out of his bath, leaving a trail of foetid water behind him as he croaked orders.
Bobard piloted the Shadow while Curly navigated, and the Captain soon came to help and direct them. As you left the Channel, you changed course from St Thosos to Serpent Harbour, lair of the “sea princess” nymph Ouwashilombiss, “betrothed” of Captain Ahappi. This was his scheme to rid himself of his curse, and the crew thought it was a grand one, as they had only heard tales of his (and some of yours, with the great Barran the Monster-Killer's ship and crew) adventures there some years ago.
You made your way west, on the four day journey to this legendary place near Culonmac Island. It was a place where Dormal had granted Magasta's monsters a safe haven from humans, so you took time to discuss what lay there and how to behave appropriately. Ahappi continued to act with more vigour, and more unpredictable bouts of seemingly mad thoughts. Fraud Shaven was preoccupied with his own concerns and meditations, and the crew was far too enamoured of their master to find fault in all this.
Soon, too, you were distracted by a great fog bank that dominated the horizon as you neared the islands of Nolos where Serpent Harbour lay. Fraud Shaven used his magical fan to blow a clear spot in it, helping you navigate– and soon revealing a terrible monster. The immense hovering jellyfish-thing The Dread Draper, a predator infamous in these parts, was using the fog as cover to approach you. As the crew sped into action, discussing how to deal with this terror, Fraud again invoked the power of the Foe-Stopper fan– and the monster was blown far, far off, with much of the nearby fog! You sped along and did not see the thing again. You were reminded how when that fan was useful, it was very useful indeed!
Finally, the rocky islets of Serpent Harbour came into view and you anchored the Shadow, as no sea-faring ship could enter the harbour without meeting disaster, much as no man could safely set foot on its shores. Curly once again proved his prowess in piloting the dinghy, while Shaven did his best to map the islets' network of canals and an excited Ahappi recalled landmarks that would speed you to where the nymph lived.
You saw plenty of dozy sea-beasts as you travelled the canals, but none came close until you approached the nymph's home. Two great sea serpents reared up before the skiff and looked down at you with inscrutable reptilian interest. Ahappi stood up boldly and proclaimed how he was here to visit the nymph in peace and that they should let you pass. They did, but Curly nearly smacked one on the head with an oar as you passed their submerged heads.
You turned the corner and rowed into the lagoon, surrounded by high rock walls, as Ahappi called to her and she rose out of the centre of the waters. Ouwashilombiss was green-skinned and perfect in form, with long black hair that cascaded around that form with almost strategic propriety… but one of you (Curly?) did not avert their gaze from certain parts of that form and then caught her cold, fishy gaze of disapproval.
Ouwashilombiss spoke with increasing volume as she rose, interrupting Ahappi's announcement of his problem and intentions of finishing their wooing. She thundered that he already had his quest; no new one was required; and that she had already granted him aid in the form of the silvery kiss that still shone on the back of his hand. She hissed that you were unjust to bring your taint within her waters without finishing that quest, which was to bring her bride-price: the head of Captain Barran (last seen possibly riding a wave into Magasta's Pool at the centre of the ocean, and thence into Hell for a heroquest?)! Somehow, with typical nymphly immortal arrogance, she had expected you to intuit all of this, but immortals ignore that mortals don't normally have such powers of insight. Cowed, you turned the boat around and gingerly, but once again expertly, made your way out of the Harbour without further trouble.
Back at the Shadow, Ahappi swelled with wild-eyed mad purpose and bellowed his intent as he grabbed the ship's wheel: you were headed for Magasta's whirlpool and into the Underworld to seek your prey! Disturbed, Lord Shaven tried to calm himself with the Ebon Sanctuary but instead the anarchy of the Purple Sonnet overtook him, and he began reciting, with reverberations of magical power coursing about the ship, those ominous phrases… And what was the crew to do but heed their master's orders again and set sail for certain doom, as words of doom washed over you?
Back in Aria's Well, Lord Boamund wondered why he had heard nothing from his allies since they left for St Thosos. Hmm, perhaps he would need to deal with this Sottogh clan diplomacy himself, much as his people needed him here in town? Oh bother. The Talar's burden is always a heavy one! But logic and reason were Makan's blessing to His people of Law, and would show him the way…
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