Amon's eyes flutter open to see three men standing before him, his hands in chains. Amon looks at each of them-- one is tall and has the head of a hawk, the two others wear simple headresses.
"I am Thoth. Your God and I have come to save your soul...join the God above us all and all is forgiven.."
Amon looks weakly to Thoth and spits in his face. "I'll never join that madman..."
Thoth brings back his fist and hits Amon one last time...
Amon splashes to the ground as Thoth smiles.
"Poor fool....he should have joined..."
BAM! One guard is hurled against one wall and slides down unconscious as a second guard is tossed towards the opposite wall.
Thoth turns as a hand grabs him by the throat.
"Let me see who my captor truly is," Amon says, reaching for Thoth's mask.
"No no not the mask, you'll kill me!!!" he pleads.
"What??" Amon asks. "Oh do tell..."
Somewhere in New York...
Cliodhna is laying on the floor of Brianna and Ahuru's room on her side, dead-asleep.
Brianna is sitting on the large chair in her room, trying to stay awake for Ahuru to return from his conversation with Amon.
Ray has been spending time with Susan....reminiscing about the past, even though its a 1-way conversation..he makes up what Susan would say back.
Jonny has been spending time around Mama's, and Benwah has been refilling pathos.
The day begins as sunlight dawns upon the city.
Brianna rests her head on the arm of the chair, dozing.
Ahuru touches Brianna's head. "Time to awaken..."
Brianna sleepily blinks her eyes and looks up at Ahuru. "You're back!" She jumps up.
Cliodhna clenches her eyes in her sleep and tosses and turns, having a nightmare.
"Yes..." Ahuru replies.
Brianna throws her arms around him. "What happened? Is Amon OK now? Cliodhna was really worried about him..."
"He will be fine..." Ahuru replies.
Brianna smiles, and then moves over to Cliodhna and gently shakes her awake.
Cliodhna sits bolt upright, her eyes wild.
"It's okay, Ahuru is back." Brianna tells her gently.
"Aah, Bri...sorry...havin' a nightmare..." Cliodhna responds groggily.
"Hey you ok?" Memnon asks. "You were tossing and turning..."
Cliodhna rubs her temples and then stands shakily.
"It's no wonder...you made her sleep on the floor." Brianna frowns.
"I did?" Memnon asks in confusion.
Brianna rolls her eyes and looks at Cliodhna with sympathy and grins.
Cliodhna raises her eyebrow at Memnon, and then turns to Brianna. "I'm fine...we'd better go get the cohort-- they must think we all disappeared!" Cliodhna tries to joke through her pounding headache.
"Good idea..." Memnon nods.
Cliodhna rubs her back as she checks her weapons and heads for the door. "Come on, then...ach, I feel like shit..."
The group heads out of the room and down the stairs, making their way back to the Legion Hall.
{Next time maybe you and him can sleep on the floor together} Cliodhna's Shadow rasps.
[Ah Shadow...so ye're back then...I didn't miss ye.] Cliodhna responds tiredly.
Brianna gets Hope from the stables and leads her as she follows the others.
{I'm sure you miss me as much as you miss Daddy} Cliodhna's Shadow continues.
Cliodhna's lips tighten, but she doesn't justify that with an answer.
The group continues to walk out of Swar and into Hierarchy territory, soon they reach the Legion Hall.
Cliodhna folds her arms and peers around, looking for Ray, Jonny, and Benwah.
Ray returns back to Legion Hall from Susan's.
Jonnny comes to the legion hall looking rested.
Benwah sits and meditates.
Cliodhna nods as each Legionnaire returns.
"All right-- we're all together. I have some news fer ye before we go in ta speak with Paul." Cliodhna begins.
"So Cliodhna, what is the word from the field today?" Ray asks.
Brianna hides a yawn and leans against Ahuru.
"We have a plan set in place. I contacted Amon through his dreams an' told him to speak with Osiris an' tell him that New York has declared its independence an' wants ta join with Amenti in fightin' our common enemy Stygia. Now we wait ta see what Amon can do...hopefully before Markova returns wantin' an answer." Cliodhna pauses, then continues. "Amon's....bein' held prisoner by Osiris, but Ahuru said he sent help for Amon."
Brianna looks at Ahuru. "Do you know how long it will be until we find out if Amon was able to convince him?"
"No...he will not convince him..." Ahuru replies mysteriously.
Cliodhna turns and watches Ahuru. "Ye said everythin' would be OK, Ahuru, an' by Brianna's faith in ye, I'll have ta trust that it will be." she says stiffly.
"Then what shall we do? Markova will return at any time for an answer..." Brianna asks.
"Well if they are out to destroy everywhere that Markova has been, wouldn't they still be set on destroying New York?" Ray asks.
"Yes..." Ahuru answers simply, and then adds, "Everything will be fine..."
Cliodhna raises her eyebrow, looking a bit ruffled.
"Then we are to wait?" Brianna asks. "We need take no action?"
"No we must got to Paul..." Ahuru replies.
Cliodhna sighs and rubs her temples again. "All right then...let's go speak with Paul."
Brianna nods.
Cliodhna enters the Twin Towers, holding the door open for the next person and then continuing up.
Brianna squeezes Ahuru's hand and smiles at him as they enter the building.
"Hopefully he has some insight...should we tell him of how Markova has been here...and spoke to us?" Ray asks.
Cliodhna turns to Ray as she walks up the steps. "I told Amon...he knows now about Markova's offer. We just have ta trust that Ahuru is right, it seems."
The cohort walks into the offices to find the Anacerons and Paul standing over a map.
Cliodhna enters the room and walks over to Paul, making a quick bow to him. "Governor?"
Paul looks up to see the 154th standing there. "Good to see you all."
"Governor, I have some developments I'd like ta report." Cliodhna begins.
Paul nods, "Go ahead."
"We are-- right now with Ahuru's son's help-- tryin' ta enter inta an alliance with Amenti ta fight Stygia. We will let ye know the answer as soon as Amon reports back. I hope this wasn't goin' over and above my station?"
Paul shakes his head, "They are already at war. Why would they help us?"
"They are at war with Stygia only now, seein' as how we left the Hiercharchy. We anticipate Stygia will declare war on us next, so we'd like ta strengthen the common cause by joinin' forces ta detroy the Smilin' Lord."
"I see, all right we'll see how it plays. Hopefully the other Kingdoms will be willing to join..."
Cliodhna nods. "Aye...when they hear about the Smilin' Lord's declaration, I'm sure they will."
"If that's all, the Ulysses is ready to go. Remember we want the Dark Kingdoms' help but not if they ask for the whole farm..." Paul instructs.
Cliodhna looks at Paul in surprise-- she didn't know her cohort would be the ones going! "All right, we'll ready ourselves an' board the ship then. Thank ye, Paul."
Paul salutes and gets back to the others.
Brianna feels a thrill of excitement at the thought of taking a long journey on the Ulysses again.
Cliodhna turns to the cohort and lets out a big breath. "All right then...it appears we're takin' a boatride."
"Where are we going?" Memnon asks.
"Well, I'd say the closest kingdom is Ivory." Cliodhna answers.
Memnon nods, "Right near Amenti..."
Cliodhna 's eyes dart to Memnon. "Ah boy..."
{What will they do to you, Cliodhna, if they find out about your family tree...that you are the progeny of the next Hitler?} Cliodhna's Shadow chimes in.
[I'm not goin' ta think about that right now, Shadow...just need ta build their trust in me. Amon didna try ta kill me.]
"Will it be safe, do you think, to travel near the Amenti at this point?" Ray asks in concern.
"I don't think we'll be near the Amenti...." Brianna looks to Ahuru. "Will we?"
"Yes we would be very near..." Ahuru nods.
"That's a good point, Ray...all right, the Kingdom of Wire then? Headin' northeast?" Cliodhna suggests.
"That's better," Memnon nods.
"All right then, we'll go ta Wire first, an' then see if Amon's had any luck."
Cliodhna gives a short nod and walks for the door. She seems to be a bit short and tempermental this morning...she looks very tired.
"If that old guy were here, I would tell him how fine his sister is...and how mean." Jonny states.
Brianna arches an eyebrow. "That's Ahuru's daughter..."
"You mean...my daughter?" Ahuru asks.
Cliodhna keeps walking, muttering curses under her breath.
"Uh yeah...your daughter. But I don't wanna tell her dad I've been banging her."
Ahuru raises an eyebrow.
Brianna blinks and puts a restraining hand on Ahuru's arm.
Jonny runs off.
"The last we heard from Wire they were surpisingly willing to help...do you think they will send troops back with us or that they will launch their own attacks?" Ray enquires.
Cliodhna -- grateful at Ray's strategy-questions-- turns to him. "We have the assistance o' the New York territory o' Wire, but we need ta speak with the Rabbi, himself, about the Smilin' Lord-situation, before the bastard gets ta him first."
Ray turns his head as Jonny runs past him down the stairs. "Where'd Brashly just go?" Ray follows after him.
Cliodhna watches in surprise as Jonny rushes past her down the stairs, and quicken her pace.
"What is up with that guy?" Memnon asks, shaking his head.
Cliodhna looks at Memnon and shakes her head. "The first day we met Ahura, she an' Jonny..." she raises her eyebrows meaningfully at Memnon.
"Ohhhh...." Memnon says with a chuckle.
Brianna pats Ahuru's arm and walks with him downstairs, and shakes her head with disgust.
"I don't know what it is with the Amenti an' their horomones." Cliodhna keeps her face turned forward as she walks, a smile playing at the corner of her mouth.
"Beats me..." Memnon replies obliviously.
Cliodhna looks at Memnon and raises her eyebrow, and then faces forwards again as they dock the ship.
{Remember that smile...he has smiled like that at you before if I recall} Cliodhna's Shadow sneers.
[Cliodhna closes her eyes for a moment and re-centers herself at her Shadow's words]
As the group walks, it seems to take a lot longer to gets to the docks, but finally as they round a corner...
Ahuru stops and looks to an old abandoned building. "Someone is in there..."
Cliodhna stops, folds her arms and stares at the building hard.
Memnon looks at the building, "I don't see anything..."
"Do you know them?" Ray asks.
"Ally or enemy, Ahuru?" Cliodhna asks quietly.
Brianna looks curiously at the building, her arm still through Ahuru's. "Friendly or not?"
"No...do not try to see it...feel it...he is waiting..." Ahuru presses.
"Who? I don't feel anything..." Memnon states in frustration.
Cliodhna looks at the building and closes her eyes. Then panic races through her.
Ray has a cold chill go through his body.
Cliodhna starts backing away. "No...no, not yet...no...." She puts her hands out. "Ahuru, we need ta leave."
Ahuru looks at Cliodhna. "If that is what you decide..."
"We can't run from him...if he chooses to come to us...then we will have to talk to him." Ray states.
"Aye, if HE decides! I decide ta get the hell outta here!" Cliodhna looks terrified.
"It's him?" Memnon asks in a dangerous voice.
{Whats wrong? Afraid of little fatherly love? Tsk tsk what a bad daughter} Cliodhna's Shadow taunts.
["What do ye think, Shadow!!" Cliodhna mentally screams.]
Brianna keeps a calm face, but panic is racing through her at the thought of Markova being so close.
Cliodhna reaches out and grabs Memnon's arm. "Stay here."
Memnon puts his arm about Cliodhna and gently puts her behind him. "No way."
"Mem!! Ye stay here!!" Cliodhna's voice is a near-shriek.
"Ok ok," Memnon says as he looks at Cliodhna.
"Ahuru-- we need time! Do ye think he'll give us the time we need?? I think not!" Cliodhna cries.
"Well we aren't going to have the time to rally help...we have to decide now...we have to stick together on our decision." Ray tells her.
"I was tired of waiting...." Markova states arrogantly as he walks through the warehouse wall.
Brianna 's grip on Ahuru's arm tightens considerably.
Ray swallows hard at the thought of Markova's previous generous offer.
Cliodhna feels her head get light as though she's going to faint. She was NOT expecting to face Markova this quickly.
Benwah looks at Markova calmly.
"I see you all have put a lot of thought into this and it's time to decide..." Markova smirks. "Well?"
Cliodhna closes her eyes and breathes in deeply for a few seconds, and then opens her eyes and walks forward a couple of steps, calmly.
Brianna watches Cliodhna closely.
Cliodhna lowers her eyes to Markova's and stares at him for a moment. "We have made a decision, yes, but your role is not in it."
Markova looks at Cliodhna and begins to pace.
Cliodhna folds her arms, hoping Markova can't sense how terrified she is.
"I can not make a decesion for keeps as I don't know you or your long term plans enough to make a pact...if you wish made a trade of assistance...maybe this could be done...but you have yet to prove that your long term goals will be any better than theirs." Ray states boldly.
"No? Are you saying...no?" Markova asks, his face getting red.
Cliodhna takes a breath. "Let me ask ye a question, Markova."
Brianna is glad Markova hasn't noticed her yet.
"You will anyway..." Markova sighs, pacing back and forth eyeing each of you.
"When ye started out-- I'm guessin' as a regular soldier-- didn't ye want the chance ta prove yerself an' not have things handed ta ye on a silver platter?"
"Where is this leading?" Markova asks impatiently.
{Ray, make the decision...for your destruction...the destruction of us both!} Ray's Shadow cries.
[I can still pull something out of this flip-sided hell that these people call existence...I won't let go...not of me...not of susan...but...maybe of you.] Ray retorts.
{I would like to see you try, Ray. You are even more powerless and pathetic than I thought.} Ray's Shadow continues.
[If either of us could my friend of misery...if either of us could.] Ray thinks to his Shadow.
{If you only knew...} Ray's Shadow finishes.
"We have found a way ta take care o' our enemies. All I ask is that ye let us try to defeat the enemy first. On our own." Cliodhna says carefully.
"On your own...on your own you have no chance." Markova closes his eyes for a second, and then opens them with a smile. "Not anymore it seems."
"Oh? What do ye mean?" Cliodhna leans her weight on one hip and watches Markova.
"You are going to jeapordize everything to prove something?? You are a fool." Markova sneers angrily.
Brianna looks worridly at Ahuru.
Cliodhna laughs. "I'm willin' ta take risks, Markova. I've always had ta fight fer everythin' I've earned."
Ahuru watches Markova.
"A sad offer you give...to say 'live by me or not at all...'" Ray says shaking his head.
"So be it...that was your last chance...it won't come again..." Markova says through gritted teeth.
"An' what do ye mean by that??" Cliodhna asks worriedly.
Markova puts his hand to his ear, "Is that battle I hear?" he mocks.
Cliodhna narrows her eyes.
Markova begins to bubble and fuse into whatever spectre he had been inhabiting.
Cliodhna smashes her fist into the nearest wall and starts muttering curses again.
"That bastard..." Memnon growls.
"Death is a not such fearsome thing when you realize you can never escape the the choices one makes...choices...that is fear." Ray states to anyone listening.
Brianna glances once at Ahuru for assurance then goes to Cliodhna to comfort her. "Don't worry, things are happening as they must. Don't dispair," she says soothingly.
"As they must?? Listen!" Cliodhna cries.
The sound of a fury of a battle-din surrounds them echoing from building to building.
"Bastard!! What has he done?!" Cliodhna shouts.
"We must leave...we must leave NOW." Ahuru says urgently.
"But the battle-- we have to..." Memnon argues.
Cliodhna sprouts her wings and flies up high to get a vantage-point view, but hears Ahuru's words, and then lands back on the ground. "An' leave the battle?" she asks incredulously.
"We have other more important duties," Brianna says in support of Ahuru.
"If we do not leave, the battle will be lost by all..." Ahuru says, and begins to walk towards the docks.
Cliodhna holds her head. "I have NEVER left a battle, but if ye say we must..." Cliodhna closes her eyes. "Then we must."
"Then what are we to do? Hurry and rally soldiers for the different legions?" Ray asks quickly.
"But...oh hell," Memnon says following Cliodhna.
Cliodhna stomps after Ahuru, muttering about Brianna's faith in him.
Brianna follows Ahuru, Hope trailing behind.
Memnon looks back, "Let's go guys!" he shouts.
{Brianna...look at all the things Ahuru is making people trust him about! Very lives hanging in balance! How can Ahuru be right about everything??} Brianna's Shadow whispers.
[But he is....] Brianna says simply.
{Your faith is admirable, but it's only out of being infatuated with him.} Brianna's Shadow says in a flat voice.
[ I am not blind, Shadow. When has he ever been wrong? ] Brianna asks in complete faith.
{About his daughter...about L'arago??} Brianna's Shadow ask incredulously.
The cohort runs towards the docks, passing several Legionnaires running in the opposite direction. Finally they turn a corner and see the docks.
{Cliodhna's Shadow uses Taint of Corrupton on Cliodhna and Shadow-Calls, telling the Shadows of the party about how Cliodhna is the daugther of Markova and has made secrect plots with him...and to tell their hosts}
Cliodhna wants to hold her head in shame, and finally grabs one of the legionnaires. "What is going on, soldier?"
Memnon turns back to see Cliodhna stop.
The buildings overflow with Spectres-- it looks like a tidal wave of arms, claws and teeth.
Cliodhna releases the Legionnaire's arm and feels desperate to stay and lead the men. "Why is he doing this??" she mutters. "I thought he could be reasoned with!"
Brianna 's mouth is suddenly dry. She glances at Cliodhna. "He is insane."
Cliodhna feels herself want to glare at Brianna, but is able to change her facial expression to neutral in time.
"He's not insane...just...AAAAAAAAAAAAAH MEM!!!"
Memnon picks up Cliodhna and begins to run, "Go GO!!! Run to the ship!!"
"The serpent said he could be...maybe we messed up somehow," Ray calls to Cliodhna, running after Memnon.
Brianna hurridly mounts her horse, offering Ahuru a hand up.
Ray hauls ass.
Jonny runs to the ship.
Ahuru jumps upon the horse as Brianna gallops off.
Cliodhna clings to Memnon's back in frustration, watching the spectres pour out of the buildings right in front of her.
The Ulysses crew begins to run around the ship untethering it-- they are waving the cohort on.
"There will be nothing left when we get back!! Nothing!!" Tears sting Cliodhna's eyes.
Brianna concentrates on getting to the ship as quickly as possible, trying to block out the memory of the hoarde of spectres behind them.
The group reaches the ship, jumping onto as it lurches forward just out of reach of the storm.
Memnon shouts, "Faster, get it faster!!"
The Ulysses lurches and suddenly pushes through the Tempest and into the sea, leaving the storm of spectres behind.
Brianna calms her racing heart and watches the city.
"What do you think will happen to the legions?" Ray asks.
"Let me down, Mem...please..." Cliodhna says in a quiet voice.
Memnon puts Cliodhna down gently.
Cliodhna runs to the railing of the ship and clutches it tightly in her hands, staring hard behind the ship. "What should I do, Mother..." she murmurs quietly as tears finally fall.
Memnon-- breathing hard-- looks at Cliodhna. "Why...why did you stop??"
Brianna looks sadly at Cliodhna, sorry that she let her hatred of Markova overcome her sensitivity to her friend.
Cliodhna turns and glances at Memnon, wiping her eyes quickly. "Yer a soldier..."
Memnon puts his hand on her shoulder...and nods. "It's ok..."
Cliodhna hits the railing with the palm of her hand. "I've never taken people's word as faith. NEVER! How could a caern...a country...survive blind faith like that?? How do ye think Ireland got the way it tis??"
"Should we fire the ship's cannons at them?" Ray suggests.
The Ulysses glides over the water smoothly as if the tempest was made of glass.
Cliodhna shakes her head. "We're in a different space, Ray. Our cannons won't reach the Necropolis now." Cliodhna puts her hand on Ray's shoulder for a moment, and then turns and starts walking to the steps that lead belowdecks.
Brianna hurries to catch up to Cliodhna. "I'm sorry about what I said."
Cliodhna puts a hand to her forehead as she stumbles forward.
Brianna hurries and catches her.
"'Tis...OK, Bri..." Cliodhna catches herself with Brianna's help.
"What's wrong?" Brianna asks in concern.
"So...tired...I just want ta rest an' forget what just happened...without the nightmares..." Cliodhna murmurs.
Brianna nods. "You need to get some sleep. Rest-- we have a while before we reach Wire."
"Where first, Marshall?" Hans calls.
Cliodhna glances up at Hans who's looking at her inquisitively. "Dark Kingdom o' Wire, please Hans."
Hans nods.
"What will happen to the people still living in New york...and I mean actually living?...are they going to be safe?" Ray asks Ahuru quickly.
"While he is allowed to live no one will be safe..." Ahuru answers.
Cliodhna nods to Brianna, catching the stairs-railing in her hands, and then turns to look at Ahuru.
Brianna looks at Ahuru then back to Cliodhna with concern.
"While he lives, my mother lives." Cliodhna turns and starts down the stairs.
"Oooh..." Brianna looks at Cliodhna, unsure of what to say.
"Ahuru....I have to know if someone...is ok...she is still alive in New york...is she ok?...I must know," Ray asks desperately.
Ahuru looks at Ray, "Yes...she is..."
Ray regains some composure.
{Brianna...*Brianna's Shadow cackles after Cliodhna's Shadow has spoken to her* She'll never destroy him!! She's plotting with him right now! Did you see how well she coordinated that with her father??} Brianna's Shadow asks gleefully.
Brianna frowns and runs her hands through her hair, trying to sort out her thoughts.
Cliodhna barely makes it down the steps and into her cabin before collapsing on the bed.
Memnon walks down to the underside and sits down by Cliodhna's door.
Ahuru sits down on the floor.
Brianna sits down near Ahuru, looking at him questioningly.
Ahuru opens his eyes. "A great sadness has come to New York..."
"Oh no....what happened? Brianna asks in a panic.
"Thousands...all gone," he says slowly and sadly.
Brianna lowers her head. "Is the city lost then?"
"No..." Ahuru answers.
"How long do we have?" Brianna asks worriedly.
"Not long..." Ahuru says quietly.
"What should we do?" Brianna asks.
"Continue our course...the fate of New York lies with others..." Ahuru states.
Ray is thinking about Markova...and how he is so eager to kill...and how everyone in the world really is...about how life is a never ending death. He realizes that Susan and helping people are the only real things left to him...
Jonny gazes out into the distance, spending time practicing his guitar. "I hate Markova..." he sings, stumming and thinking about the next verse.
"...wish he would roll ova..."
"and take one for the team..."
"where there are no sunbeams..."
Ray laughs. "Leave it to Johnny to liven the crew!"
Jonny smiles at Ray.
The crew stops what they are doing and starts laughing and joining in.
Jonny smiles while he continues, trying to keep a straight face.
Brianna can't help but laugh, feeling a bit better and not so hopeless.
Ahuru looks at Brianna. "Do you understand...hope is not gone and can be found in the most unlikely of us all..."
Brianna returns Ahuru's gaze and nods. "Yes, I understand."
The days pass quickly and soon the Dark Kingdom of Wire comes into view.
The first day Cliodhna slept for about 24 hours straight, but she is looking better now-- although she hasn't spoken very much on the voyage.
"We have arrived...take care, this place is less hospitible than the one in New York..." Ahuru warns.
Brianna quickly gathers her few things, leaving Hope below decks.
Cliodhna gives Ahuru an unreadable, steady look.
"So many nations against us...this small little group...what do they see that they can fear and hate so dear?" Ray asks.
"Why, Ray, that was downright poetic." Jonny says in surprise.
"An' will there be somethin' left ta return ta with all these armies?? Well?" Cliodhna finally speaks.
"Only if you no longer question...only if you truly believe..." Ahuru answers.
Cliodhna closes her eyes, her knuckles white on the railing.
"Yes...finish-- what can we belive that will save this war ridden land?" Ray prods Ahuru.
"Fuckin' Peter Pan, that's what this it feels like..." Cliodhna walks to the back of the boat and starts pacing.
{Jump off the boat...go to the Abyss...no more pain...no more trechery...peace flows there like nowhere else} Cliodhna's Shadow urges.
[I think I've got a few more options before that, Shadow...] Cliodhna mutters.
"Relax, I hate it when he talk like that too." Memnon follows Cliodhna.
Cliodhna gives Memnon a smile of gratitude at his support.
"That is for you to discover..." Ahuru answers Ray's question.
The Ulysses docks into the harbor. The harbor crew quickly takes a once-over of the ship and allows the ship to unload.
Cliodhna starts trying to calm herself, holding her fingertips over her eyes.
"Cliodhna are you ok?" Brianna asks worridly.
"I feel bad fer how I just treated Ahuru...will ye tell him I'm sorry?" Cliodhna says sadly.
Brianna nods, putting her hand on Cliodhna's arm. "He knows...he knows how hard this is on you. It's just his way...please don't take it too hard."
Cliodhna nods. "Thank ye, Bri...I'm tryin' not ta." Cliodhna turns and faces the cohort. Brianna walks back to Ahuru's side and smiles up at him.
"All right people, let's disembark an' get started. Cliodhna turns and walks down the gangplank.
Memnon follows Cliodhna.
Ahuru follows as well.
Ray sprouts demon-wings and glides down.
Cliodhna approaches the harbormaster and bows her head to him. "We've been sent by Paul, governor o' New York, ta speak with the Rabbi."
Brianna keeps close to Cliodhna.
"Ha!," he laughs, "Ha-ha! Speak with the...no one has been to the Tribunal in years! Much less outsiders."
"Nothing has occurred like this in years...please do not dismay our request," Centurian Ray states.
Cliodhna folds her arms. "Well we're here now. Point us in the right direction."
The harbormaster chuckles to himself, "Oh, well, it's that way...about...oh...hundred or so miles. You can't miss it. Don't say I didn't warn you..."
Cliodhna leans in close to him. "We have the blessin' o' yer ambassador. Now ye better not be lyin' ta me."
"I'm not lyin to you," Harbormaster states.
"All right then, what mode o' transportation can take us there?" Cliodhna continues her questioning.
"Doesn't anyone have some cool new-fangled trick to get us from a A to B faster than walking?" Ray adds.
Brianna looks curiously around the docks. They look well-kept and almost rarely used. The surroundings are sparse almost spartan. There are very few dock workers, but as you leave the docks and enter the Necropolis, you notice it is fairly populated. Many wraiths walk past you on their business, but the buildings all seem to be crumbling. The air is almost black and choking
Jonny starts singing, "Dreydl, Dreydl, Dreydl... I made you out of clay..."
Cliodhna turns and glares at Jonny.
"I used to do bar mitzvahs, you know." Jonny states proudly.
The harbormaster opens his mouth to answer Cliodhna then stops as Jonny sings. "Rude little punk."
Cliodhna closes her eyes, counting to 10 in Gaelic. "aon...dha...tri...ceithir..."
Ray laughs.
"Walk there then," Harbormaster says and turns his back on you.
"Hey now, I didn't mean any offense to you, sir." Jonny quickly apologizes. "I just like that song. Brings back memories."
Cliodhna clenches her fists, then sprouts her wings and takes off into the sky to see if she can see what vehicles are used at this place. She notices that there seems to be no vehicles and that most wraiths are walking or flickering. She flies back down to the cohort. She massages her temples for a second, and then look around for another Wire official but doesn't seem to notice any. Cliodhna quickly walks back up to the harbormaster and taps him on the shoulder.
He turns, "What do you want?"
"I don't know about you guys...but 100 miles is going to wear a hole in theese boots...we need another plan...we should bribe the harbor guy," Ray suggests.
"Please..." Cliodhna smiles a friendly smile. "Don't be mad at him-- he's famous fer his shows back in New York. He was just tryin' ta drum up some business here."
"Is there a train nearby? We could just ride that," Brianna asks, walking up to the harbormaster.
"Yea the midnight express goes by here. I'd rather be rid of you." he answers with a sneer.
Cliodhna's smile fades, but she's able to keep her temper in check. "An' where is the train station, please?"
"Fine fine, go down that street there, turn right two more blocks and your'e there." Harbormaster mutters.
"I wasn't speaking of that," Brianna responds.
"Oh you want the metro, well that's right over there," Harbormaster says pointing right down the street.
Cliodhna thanks him stiffly and slips him some obeli. Then she turns to the group. "All right, is everyone ready?"
Memnon nods.
Brianna nods. "I am..."
"Always ready to stop walking," Ray agrees.
Jonny nods.
Ahuru nods "I am."
"All right, who needs a lift?" Cliodhna asks, spreading her wings.
Memnon's wings expand.
Ahuru picks up Brianna and flickers to the station.
Ray spreads his bat-like wings. "...this is airlift 132...now accepting one more passanger." Ray mimics a pilot's voice.
Cliodhna turns and nods at Memnon, and the two soar into the air and follow after Ahuru.
Ahuru hops onto the train with Brianna and sets her down.
Brianna reluctantly lets go of Ahuru but stays near him.
"It is this one..." Ahuru says.
Cliodhna and Memnon soar into the train, retract their wings, and find seats.
Ray folds his wings behind him and enters the train.
Jonnny gets on the train, Benwah following behind.
The Quick pass by the Wraiths, seemingly not even to notice walking through them. The conductor leans out and the train begins to start...
Wraith Side-Story 8: "The Will of the Doubting Mind"
