Die

We stood aboard the Sharktooth, the moon shining brightly above as dead seemed to spawn endlessly from the black waves. We found off the horde, first at Rohrouk's call to move belowdecks, a loud groan and splash ringing out above us as we took shelter. With Rohrouk at one door with Fathom and Cassandra, and Brom holding the other with Eragon at his back, the group tried to regroup. Yet more spectral forms phased through the ship's walls; Eragon spotted a gigantic ogre-zombie on the main deck above him (*whimper*).
 
Brom: "I never thought I would be thankful for the crazy-ass tree inside me" (as a ghost tries to possess him)
 

 

"Hello, Cassandra"

And then He appeared.
 
"I'm finished asking."
 
He walked to Eragon, and Eragon fell.
 
He walked to Fathom, and (after a few turns) Fathom fell.
 
He walked to Brom, and Brom fell. From beyond the veil, a shout rang in Brom's ears, jerking him awake (as if from sleep): "Rise up, dead man!"
He hit Brom again, and Brom fell. Again.
He spat on Brom's corpse: "Rise from that, dead man."
 
Rohrouk dragged an unconscious Fathom through a doorway and administered a potion. In desparation, Fathom tried to punch a hole in the side of the ship. He looked up, turning to see Rohrouk beside him, no longer himself. Possessed.
 
He moved to Eragon, and with several punches laid the wizard out... only to bring him back with spare the dying. His next words were for Cassandra"
 
"Cassandra. The cards. Now."
 
Cassandra did indeed have the cards, and pulling them out she backed away, threatening to rip them into pieces. "Let them go."
But he knew: "I can find more cards, Cassandra. Are you going to find another woodelf?"
"I'm going to find Luce, and when I get to him -- he... will... suffer. And, it turns out, you're not special, Cassandra. I found someone else."
 
 

Cassandra gives him the cards

He demanded Cassandra thank Him. It was... horrible.
 
As a final token he drew a card: "The Magician. I suppose that means something." Without warning he advanced still on Cassandra, ripping Luce's sword from her. "You'll get this back, when you deserve it."
 
He rambled on about the dead walking as the living, about suffering and the end of the world. "I just wish you could see it. You'll have to get someone to describe it to you."
 
It will be quiet, and dark, and very... soothing. And there will be none but me."
 
He cast spare the dying on Brom, kicking him savagely, then lumbered abovedecks. The zombie horde followed, and all in attendance returned to the sea. He pulled magic from Cassandra, who muttered only, "I choose to succeed," as she pulled the weave opposite and equal.
 
"Don't follow me."
 
 
 
Cassandra explained to Rohrouk what he (possessed) had missed: "He has a boat, a woman, and a deck of cards. And... the blood of something ancient. He's offering them something -- the Fathom-God and Kofsa." Rohrouk mused that the woman could be Kofsa. Meanwhile, Cassandra wondered if we could find another deck of cards.
 
On the main deck, a fair-skinned hand was pinned by a knife to the main mast. The hand had a ring on its fourth finger, and clutched a parchment-note: "Give this back." The ring was a signet to House Seront; the hand the missing noblelady's.
 
Rohrouk took the helm. Cassandra retreated to her room, and Fathom looked over Brom and Eragon (gargoyle-like). It wasn't until early the next morning that they woke; though Rohrouk hadn't slept, nothing happened that night.
 
Rohrouk held course for Loscipulus, to alert Lord Seront of the problem at "hand". Cassandra was very against this; all she wanted was to head home to Forcalish, and mail the ring surreptitiously back to House Seront. Rohrouk: "No more lies, Cassandra."
 
Cassandra and Eragon had a heart-to-heart, cry-to-cry in Eragon's room (during a lull). Brom came up -- "Brom was right about Kofsa" -- but otherwise the party was either discussing, or sailing.
 
Cassandra sent a message to Kiryntes, warning the dragon of... Him.
The dragon responded, thankfully: "have departed the Deltavarian for the season. Will return within the decade. Troubling news. What is to be done."
Cassandra's response: "Can we borrow your blood?"
Kiryntes: "If it is required, I will serve. What are the ingredients."
Cassandra listed them.
Kyrintes: "Do you know anyone else who might have them?"
This enthused Cassandra.
 
Whatever he said to Cassandra, it seemed to strengthen her theory that He has Kofsa (on his side? in his possession?). She thought to ask the Witch of the Withering Woods, of the North, for a "new" deck of cards.


 
Rohrouk, Cassandra, and Brom (loudly) butted heads on board the ship. The resolution to return to Forcalish passed, and Eragon turned the ship.