Chapter 24: Threads of Fate
General Summary
The 30th of Abarat began foggy. Thick rolling clouds of mist clung to the cliffsides as The Sturgeon continued on its journey. Aqiatuxl began the morning on the deck of the boat, enjoying the feeling of the mist. He noticed, however, a glint of something large and blue clinging to the nearby cliffs before a rolling cloud of fog obscured whatever it was. Venturing to the captain of the ship, Hanna, who was at the helm, he told her of what he saw. She quickly realized that it was a young brine dragon said to live in these areas. Usually boats came and went without any notice. Seemingly a big worried, she darted under the deck.
Still in their cabins, Lenihlra and Jacquora noticed the sudden scurrying of feet darting past their room. The poked their heads out and asked Warwick what was going on. He mentioned that something was happening and that they should lock their doors and not worry about it. A new figure also leaned out of the room and hailed the deckhand. With an offer of a drink from his flask, he relaxed the worried sailor and convinced him to give up what was happening. Jacquora overhead this conversation and both the new, mysterious figure and she learned that they were about to be attacked by a dragon. Lenihlra, Jacquora, and this new person hurried to the top deck.
With a sound of rushing air from large wings, a glistening silvery-blue dragon landed on the ship. He announced his annoyance with the number of ships coming through his waters. Aqia, close by to where the dragon landed, attacked first. The group together found that their tactics worked fairly well against their foe. Throughout, the dragon voiced his displeasure that he was being bested by the travellers and remarked that folks didn't usually fight back.
Finally, all four of the fighters were able to convince the dragon to stop fighting. The dragon mentioned that he was just annoyed that so many people came onto his property without acknowledging his presence or paying homage to him. He demanded that they cough up some gold, but they instead convinced him that they would tell folks throughout the land that they would need pay a toll to pass through this way.
The dragon assented to this accord and mentioned that he really needed to work on his anger issues before flying away...then returning when Jacquora asked his name (Ovrinynth)...then flew away once more with an open invitation to his lair.
The group then introduced themselves. The newcomer introduced himself as Leon Meyvir of the most noble house of Meyvir of Ilythyra. Hanna, the captain of The Sturgeon approached the group and mentioned that Leon's quarters were damaged and that he may have to bunk with the other three. Not impressed by this, they convinced her that this wouldn't be the case and she left to get them some breakfast. All four of them returned to the intact quarters of Lenihlra, Jacquora, and Aqia to discuss things further.
Slightly confrontational, Lenihlra and Jacquora were not impressed with Leon. Aqia was mostly confused as to what they were all talking about. Leon told them he was looking for Princess Falaern. He skimmed Jacquora's thoughts, which had strayed to think about how cute Falaern was. Shocked to find out that not only did they know of Ilythyra and Falaern, they actually knew the Princess herself, Leon confronted them and demanded to know if she was safe...or in the hands of another house. They assured her she was not and that she was safe and on her way back to Ilythyra.
The captain returned and told them that Leon was indeed to bunk with them and not on the deck. Leon, who had previously been set on trying to find the Princess, decided now to turn to his secondary task of gathering lost knowledge in Arnsholdi. He asked Aqia if he would like to join him on this noble quest.
After a week of further travel, the group arrived on the 2nd of Arel in Marwood, a small coastal port town.
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