What's to Come

I will keep this brief, and write in such a manner that no one else will hope to understand--discretion is key in the coming days.
 
Further discussion with Mai Lin revealed a few things.
 
The first is that, incredibly enough, the very one to free him from the Flynns was none other than Orlando's father, Sir Starlight. Now, the lexicon of cultural icons is not unknown to me, but I've always been struck by how... ostentatious a name "Sir Starlight" is. I suppose a stage name has no need for subtlety. This detail was astonishing to me, though, because it echoes my same experience with Orlando, in a sense. The Great Spirits work on a cosmic scale, and harmony may be found in the least likely combination of notes. I feel it portends miraculous things.
 
Bas'tet will not leave me be as I write this, perhaps she senses it, too.
 
Mai Lin's betrayal of my identity at this moment seems to have been no more than a necessary move for his survival--I can sense no ulterior motive at this juncture. Not to mention, the intelligence he shared with me was of massive import: The Flynns are creating an engine using floatstone capable of generating unprecedented power. Such a machine would exceed the capabilities of anything which currently exists, even the brilliance of current Draconian design. I can't imagine where these scum mustered such genius, but it concerns me, and it is not something which belongs in the hands of pirates.
 
Speaking of hands, Mai Lin had an exquisite gift for Nobler, a silver claw used to slay werewolves; apparently my friend is hunted by profane cultists of Haretal, those who would pervert a Great Spirit's worship. I knew he was capable... I did not know he had such a history to him. Such factors could complicate our journey.
 
And then there is the matter of my history, my present situation. I am a Blade of House Senhotep, typically known to the world as couriers and military ambassadors. They have seen much too much of my abilities, become much too interwoven in my tale--perhaps on a spiritual level, if I interpret the omen of Sir Starlight and Mai Lin correctly. Will there be a time where I must reveal my purpose to them? They already know my capabilities, but my allegiances, my ultimate duties? I do not yet know how I would possibly reveal such things to them. My duty is to the Imperial Republic. And yet I feel such a time may be soon approaching...
 
Mai Lin blindsided me with another fact--he had been in contact with Hikari! My sister, the First Blade herself! If only I could do the same. He says it was sparse, certainly not enough to relay the blueprints through--after all, why else, then, would I be here? But yet again on top of that... he says there is a good name for me circulating my people's ears. A good name for my family. Pride for the Blades. I will prove this new legacy to them. I will do my country proud.
 
So, our plan: we must assemble a crew (done), assert our legitimacy (a feat aided by our destruction of the Red Devils and thwarting of the Maycombs), and stake a claim on the Crossbone Council (no idea how that may happen). Once that is completed, we will make our way to the decadent banquet to be held afterwards--where Orlando will do what he does best, dazzling and perplexing the pirate crowd--and steal away the blueprints for this new engine from under the nose of Armitage himself.
 
It seems crazy, all of it. Mai Lin was not raised a Blade; the best-laid plans are those which contain the least opportunities to go wrong. On top of this, I abhor the thought of declaring myself a pirate cur for the sake of a harebrained deception. Not to mention (even still), Orlando appears wildly opposed to the scheme, apparently captive of that same syndrome which compels Nobler and Neema to regard their former captors with deference. Odd that Orlando would be the hardest to convince of a mad caper; something troubles him. But for all the uncertainty, all the perplexity, all the complication... I am eager to take everything I can from these damned buccaneers.
 
May the Great Spirits watch me through the gleam of my sword, enlighten me in the hidden places of the world, guide me in the words of the strangers I've yet to make familiar, and bless me in the light of sun and moon. May they walk in the stride of those I walk amongst, and touch the world through the hands of my companions. May their deeds echo in my actions and their will echo in my wishes. May I honor them in the paths I follow and the waters I tread and the mountains I climb. I am but a transient pilgrim walking the tracks of this past and future world, my blood the blood of my lord and my father and my people.