The Vigilant Eye is still undergoing repairs when Alptraum arrives at Mt. Rephath. A few questions to the workers point Alptraum to the Temple proper, where Captain Karada is supposedly dealing with administrative work. His office is at least close to the Hall of Transgressions.

Captain Karada's Office
Cold stone walls adorned with crude relief carvings of images holy to Rephath enclose this small chamber, much like any other in the temple, having walls that threaten to close in on the occupants, but a very high-reaching ceiling, using vertical space for the placement of shelves and utilities, relying upon the assumption that those present will be able to fly if they have any business here. Torch sconces blaze from recessed alcoves, and an aged desk dominates the room, the chair behind it seemingly a throne, oddly shaped to make accommodation for wings - and a similar, smaller, design is employed for the other chairs to be found in the room. The only apparent exit is a single tall doorway leading out to the main corridor.

Karada looks as if he hasn't gotten much sleep of late. The sidetable is covered in empty and half-filled mugs of Mateh, and his desk is loaded with ledgers and parchment, including a map that's partially buried by it all. There are two inkwells and quills, one set for red and one for black ink.

"Ah, Alptraum," Karada greets, managing a smile. "How is Wynona doing?" He's probably worried, since he didn't call her Windcaller this time.

"I wish I could say she's up, about, and singing. But ... no. She's still asleep, recovering. She will probably need to relearn how to use her hands some after this. The damage was extensive," Alptraum explains. "They're doing all the can, though. She will live, that's the good part. The road to recovery, though, will take a while."

"I'm hoping she can convalesce outside of the Mage's Guild," Karada says, and shakes his head slightly. "That's for the future. The present is enough to deal with," he says, gesturing to his work. "The captured airship should be here by dawn, then it can be refitted for the journey. I've gotten a map.. have you met the archivist, Hannelore already?"

"I'm sure she will be able to once she's awake and more stable to. And yes, I've met that one. Truth be told, she's creepy. Can the ship be fitted with as small a crew as possible? I'm going to be traveling with the portable lich creator, effectively. I really don't want to endanger anyone unnecessarily," Alptraum admits.

"About a dozen 'passengers' plus a skeleton crew," Karada says, after digging out a parchment with his notes. "I'm trying to figure out the best route to navigate from the old map. Somewhere in the wastes, but not too close to the Forbidden Zone. Do you have an Air Mage?"

"I can probably find an air-head," Alptraum offers, "If I don't already count. Joking aside, I know an air mage I could probably recruit."

"Having one makes everything easier," Karada notes, then frowns briefly. "My report on the airship didn't say if it was outfitted for Pteras or Rahktors. Just as well though, you need an experienced drover to try and handle them, and headwinds are just as bad either way. You've also got one airshipman of your own, correct?"

"Tulani, yes. She's sort of a retired air pirate. I'm sure I can rely on her to manage them," Alptraum claims. "Sorry, my way of dealing with stress is to joke."

"An actual pirate?" Karada asks, looking surprised. "Ah, a joke. With an Air Mage, you'll like only need three more crew to handle piloting and rigging. I can find a pilot who can navigate as well. What about security?"

"She's a sphynx, and strong as a horse. But .. I will probably need some sort of security, true. I can't manage that and make sure stasis is stable," Alptraum admits.

"I suggest Yodhrephath for that, if they're the ones the passengers are used to," Karada says. "From experience, any you ask will claim they're the only one you'll need. But you'll really want a few of the less bloodthirsty ones if the point is to keep everyone alive until you reach your destination."

"Do you want to recruit them, then? You know more what to look for. I'm worried they'll just suck up to me for whatever reason. Or are terrified of me," Alptraum admits.

"You're the one they'll be taking orders from," Karada notes. "I just think they must exist. So you should recruit them. I think the barrephath also serve as guards. It depends on whether you expect to be attacked during the voyage, or if you think the passengers will need to be kept in line."

Alptraum rubs his face. "I'm not much of a leader," he admits, "Believe it or not. I'm not good at ordering people. But, you're probably right on that."

"All the better to be someone they see in a position of authority then," Karada says. "That way you can openly delegate to Tulani."

"So she isn't the leader type either? Can she shout loudly and with confidence though?" Karada asks.

"Sailors respond to shouting," Karada claims. "They don't need to be led, they just need to know what they're supposed to do. When the air is thin or the wind is high, shouting makes a difference."

"Fair enough, I suppose," Alptraum concedes and shrugs. "Why aren't you sleeping, by the way?"

"I have things to get done," Karada claims. "Shipwork isn't free, and repair costs need to be worked into the budget. The Yodhrephath never had to maintain an armed airship before. And I want to get your airship sorted out as soon as possible as well. What are you going to call it, by the way?"

"It's bad luck to fly on an unnamed ship," Karada says. "It doesn't have to stick - we can rename it after it gets back. It's just a captured ship, so there's no legacy attached to it."

"Except the moment it becomes my ship, it will have a legacy," Alptraum points out, then rubs his face again. "And I feel like in that case it needs to be dramatic. Like 'The New Dawn', or 'The Redeemer'."

"I suppose 'The Jolly Reaper' is a bit too piratical," Karada says. He manages to keep a straight face as well.

"A bit to irreverent too. If it weren't so serious, I'd go for that," Alptraum admits. "Though simply 'The Reaper' would work."

"We'll probably have to turn it over to the Yodhsunala afterwards anyway," Karada notes. "We can't afford to maintain two ships, even if one is pretty small. The Yodhsunala just have their ceremonial barge, which isn't practical for general use."

"Well, then 'The Reaper' is probably the most appropriate name," Alptraum concedes.

"So, how many guards do you think you'll need?" Karada asks. "Just so I can plan for them."

"Half a dozen. One per two prisoners in transport, more or less," Alptraum calculates.

Karada makes a mark on his parchment. "Shouldn't be much difference between a Yodhrephath and barrephath in terms of needed supplies," he notes. "I'm doing this based on you getting that Air Mage. Faster is safer, after all.. and less expensive to feed everyone. You've got Rhians in the manifest."

"Except the Barephath are ... rather girly," Alptraum points out. "Cute, though."

"So they may be more likely to volunteer to watch over a bunch of men," Karada points out. Then he checks his notes. "Are they all men? It doesn't say here. I just have numbers by species."

"They were all men," Alptraum says, "And why would that make them want to guard over them?"

"Because they haven't had to be submissive to other men," Karada suggests. "Although having a little power over others can get out of hand quickly, so the shorter the voyage the better."

"They would have to be submissive to me, though," Alptraum points out. "Don't I count as a man?"

"No, you're a demigod," Karada points out. "They would be submissive for religious reasons, not gender ones."

"Well, you could get Yodhrephath guards then," Karada suggests. "Some will certainly want to fly escort."

Alptraum laughs. "Eh, probably a mix to keep things interesting," he decides. "And less likely to get into specific issues."

"Make sure there aren't any competitive sorts in that mix," Karada warns. "Escort flyers think they're the sole thing keeping airships aloft, and there will never be more than one per ship. Or less than one. Even the Vigilant Eye, and actual warship has a Yodhrephath escort."

"Or I can turn anyone who decides to be a problem into a grok for the remainder of the trip," Alptraum jokes. "And that reminds me, you should be a grok for a few days; it's an experience."

"I should have some leave time available in another decade," Karada deadpans. "Is there anything you'll need other than basic supplies? Sacrificial animals, a Yodhsunala.. please don't say you need a Yodhblakat though. Lots of alcohol, or a deck of cards?"

"Yodhblakat are entertaining, though," Alptraum complains. "And no, we don't need any sacrificial animals, and I really do want to keep the people count low. I'm not sure any Yodhsunala could do more than myself, but maybe I should bring one. Cards and some alcohol is not a bad idea, though. Maybe one animal to keep the men company on a cold night." That last bit is probably a joke.

"Rughrats can be rented cheaply enough," Karada says, and moves to write it down on his parchment.

"Yes," Karada says. "They don't get pregnant or spread venereal diseases and provide punishment duty for cleaning up after them," he explains. "There was a standard requisition form."

"I just ... wow. Okay. Sure. Why not?" Alptraum concedes, then thumps his face down on the table.

"How stressed do you think the passengers are going to be?" Karada asks, quill still poised to write.

"Very, honestly," Alptraum tells the table. "This could very well be a journey to their deaths. Mine too, for that matter."

"Probably," Alptraum concedes. "They deserve to know the truth, not continue to be pawns."

"Will one Rughrat be enough?" Karada asks. "It's not just about intercourse; they can be very comforting to hold or sleep against because of the wool. So long as you feed them the proper food to reduce flatulence."

"Probably not," Alptraum says, still talking to the table. "I can't believe you're taking it actually seriously. That's really weird. Even when I've been animals I've not done ... that."

"Calming is probably the sort of presence you want available to them," Karada says. "You can't get them each their own woman, otherwise it would just cause more tension. Nobody gets jealous of a Rughrat. Maybe do something something special just before landing. Would Tulani be willing to dance for them? Assuming she can dance."

Alptraum looks up. "I think she can," he says, "I vaguely remember her dancing. I don't want it to seem like death is a certainty, though. It's just a possibility."

"Save some of the alcohol then," Karada suggests. "And the dance. You'll still have the actual prisoner though, correct? Alive?"

"Maybe. fifty percent chance he'll die," Alptraum says after weighing some odds in his mind. "Lots of unknowns to deal with."

"We don't know if there are any forces still loyal to the Royal Mages that might try for an attack," Karada says. "However, if we're careful you aren't likely to encounter any on the trip out at least. We'll be watching. There are plenty of escort fliers that will want another chance at them."

"Or they want to watch the catastrophe this will be and laugh at us," Alptraum says grimly.

"I've not known the Yodhrephath to laugh at anything," Karada points out. "That's for Yodhblakat."

"I've seen Yodhrephath laugh. I've seem Rephath laugh. While being spanked," Alptraum corrects.

"I don't think I should be hearing that," Karada claims, and spreads his hands. "I am eminently smiteable."

"What, that Rephath likes being tied up and spanked?" Alptraum asks with a grin.

"It would be best if we take the airship straight to the Guild Tower," Karada says. "We can tow it. Pick up the Air Mage and the prisoner, then come and load the passengers as quickly as possible and keep going."

"That's workable. They know there will be a ship involved, so shouldn't panic," Alptraum says and nods.

"There will be Ptera-mounted Yodh providing cover, not necessarily in the air but ready to launch from nearby towers," Karada explains. "And some of my own men from sniper roosts."

"Well, kill anyone around you we don't approve of," Karada says. "Plus, taking up all the sniper spots means other snipers can't use them."

"Now I have to ask ... so ... you ... and a Rugrhat," Alptraum suddenly asks and arches his brow.

"Besides, the men can usually accommodate eachother, but there aren't any Eeee on this list," he adds. "They may already have relationships for this sort of thing."

"Only of equal rank," Karada says. "The military was the one part of Babelite society were social climbing via fraternization wasn't allowed."

"Surprising," Alptraum says and then shrugs some. "But I suppose it also avoided backstabbing."

"Backstabbing is for civilian occasions, when you're part of the nobility," Karada claims. "I'll try to get everything together in time, so we can load everything quickly."

"Get some rest. You'll be no good to anyone if you drop dead from exhaustion," Alptraum says and stands. "And certainly no good to Windcaller."

"I'll have my assistant deal with the supply list, I promise," Karada claims. "Then I'll sleep until your expedition is on its way."

"Tell her I expect her to be fit for duty again," Karada says. "No slacking on her recovery."

"I'll need it. Maybe I should just get Yodhblakat for the laughs," Alptraum mutters as he turns and leaves.

There aren't any Yodhblakat in the Hall of Transgressions, but plenty of Yodhrephath. There's no way to tell from looking which are escort types and which are guards.

Alptraum actually whistles. "Hello! I need some volunteer guards for a potentially dangerous mission out into the wastes where I will be dealing with unraveling a lich curse thing. The chance of death and horror is high. Who's up for it?" he asks and claps his hands together.

This causes a stir, and a crowd forms. "Which wastes?" "Who will we be fighting?" are the main questions. There is also a lot of flexing to try and impress Alptraum.

"No fighting, necessarily. The wastes south of the city, near a dead city inside the forbidden zone out that way," Alptraum explains. "Small crew, and a group that comprises the spell circle I have to dismantle without death, I hope. We might get attacked, we might now. It might be horribly dull. Or it could have exploding bodies."

"Who might attack then?" one of the older Yodh asks. She's got a Skedat-sword at one hip, and a Skedat-flail at the other.

"People loyal to the Royal Mages, or the General," Alptraum answers. "Or even horrible monsters they create."

"Between three to six. Probably divided between Yodhrephath and Barephath," Alptraum answers. "To avoid any issues of, er, dominance fights."

"Their most powerful mage, and our prisoner. I will be holding him in stasis," Alptraum explains.

"The others with us are victims, not prisoners. The ones involuntarily held in the ritual. About a dozen or so people," comes the reply.

"One escort, at least two guards, and one to two warriors," the woman says. "At least two with ranged weapon experience. When?"

"And you are...?" Alptraum asks. "And as a warning, we'll also have comfort ... rhugrhats too."

"Yodhrephath Ruthless," the woman claims. "Ruth to you. One of the chief trainers here. Of Yodhrephath and barrephath."

"Alptraum, but I imagine you knew that already," Alptraum replies and bows. "Thank you. That was simpler than I expected."

"Are you sure?" Ruth asks, leaning in towards Alptraum. "No special challenge or condition they need to meet?"

"Eh, that is not important. Now, seriously, competent and sane, that's all," Alptraum says.

"Hmm, those can be mutually exclusive you know," Ruth claims. "But I will find the best candidates."

Ruth turns and shoos away the hangers on, who go back to whatever they were doing before. Then Ruth herself heads deeper into the temple.

"Well, I suppose that's that, then," Alptraum comments to himself. "Time to just wait and relax."

There aren't a lot of spots to relax in the Temple of Rephath. One of the acolytes does point Alptraum to a meditation garden, however. There are lots of growing things, some of which may be purely decorative but it's hard to tell. There are sand pits where Yodh can kneel or sit and just meditate. It isn't anything like the old gardens at the Temple of Inala, but probably good enough for Yodhrephath. The vines and greenery absorb sound fairly well, so long as nobody is making a lot of noise. It's empty when Alptraum gets there, but there are signs that a gardener has been through recently.

"I'm surprised they know what a gardener is," Alptraum remarks when he spots the signs of one having been there. "Granted, the concept is weird to me since they more or less don't even exist in Sylvania, where survival beats out, well, anything." He then shrugs a bit and wanders some, though ultimately ends up at the sand pit. Why becomes apparent when he extends bits of shadow stuff and starts trying to draw patterns and pictures in the sand with them. Control practice, or maybe just feeling creative. Either way at least it's something to focus on.

It certainly passes the time at least. There's just one interruption when an acolyte comes into collect some leaves from one of the plants. Since the garden doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight it's hard to tell how much time has passed from the length of the shadows. Eventually someone does come to fetch Alptraum though. Or at least they stand at the entry and clear their throat a few times.

Shadow swirls in and he spins himself too, to face the direction of the one clearing their throat. "Yeeeees?" he intones, probably a bit melodramatically at that, but eh, why not?

The problem with acolytes is that they're young and wear shapeless clothes, so it's hard to tell if it's a boy or a girl. "Yodhrephath Ruthless is ready for you, sir. Can you come to one of the training areas with me?"

"Mmm, that depends," Alptraum muses as he saunters over. "Can you carry me, or do I have to walk?"

The acolytes have not yet been trained to not show any fear. And this one just freezes up. They weren't expecting to be asked to do something other than be a guide, after all. "Uh.. what happens if I can't carry you?" the youngster squeaks.

"My cell is pretty chilly," the acolyte claims, then realizes something: they can ask Alptraum to walk! The horrible stuff is just if they try to carry him and can't. "Would you please walk with me to see Yodhsunala Ruthless?" they asks, while trying to make big sad bat eyes at Alptraum.

Alptraum laughs and ruffle-plays with the top of the Acolyte's head and ears. "Well played," he relents on the dumb joke. "I absolutely can. So, lead on."

The acolyte hurries ahead. Maybe out of fear, maybe because they're expected to do everything as quickly as possible. But it's not exactly a long journey. There are several of the little square courtyards along the hall, and Alptraum is brought to one just past two others. It's a training yard, as he's been to before. But this one has Ruth and six others in leather and chitin armor. Two of them have bows (and one of them is a barrephath even). They're all pretty, as well. Or at least don't have visible scars.

"The part about being pretty was a joke," Alptraum admits as he approaches to 'inspect' them. "Do they have actual combat experience? There may be none, but this trip is not a good time for someone new to gain the experience."

"Koth and Rag have won several archery competitions, including dogfighting ones," Ruth says, gesturing to the two holding bows. Koth is as big as Alptraum, and even darker black, with black eyes to boot. Rag is an all gray young woman with yellow eyes, who may have been recruited for her colors. She's lithe for a Yodhrephath, slightly reminding Alptraum of an elf. "Pith and Ardeth, experienced guards, and Pith is a fighter as well," Ruth introduces the next pair, who are more traditionally build Yodhrephath, with Ardeth being the older one. Pith is dull-colored except for some surprisingly long, braided blonde hair. They both nod to Alptraum.

The other warrior is introduced as Sprinkle. She's brown with white flecks, including her hair. She looks seasoned, at odds with her name. None of theme have been introduced as Yodhrephath by title though. "This is your escort, Spinner," Ruth says of the last one, who is small and somewhat mean looking. She has the aura of a magic user, but not as strongly as Wynona does.

"Are they not official Yodh? I noticed you did not refer to them as such," Alptraum inquires as he appraises each one in turn, trying to sense out if any are nervous, worried, or frankly, pissed at him. "And one of you seems to be a mage, at that."

"All escorts gotta be able to summon miracles," Spinner claims, somewhat defiantly.

The others look straight forward at the observation. "They're all currently stripped of their titles," Ruth says. "This is a chance for them to prove themselves again."

"You gave me troublemakers? What, exactly, did they do to be defrocked, as it where," Alptraum asks and arches his brow some. He's also still staring at Spinner.

Ruth also looks at Spinner. "This one bit off more than she could chew and called upon a miracle that must be used, and she set it off at an inopportune moment and caused some expensive damage."

"It's not like the airship exploded or anything," Spinner counters, unrepentant.

"Over-reacts, then?" Alptraum inquires and tilts his head some. Without warning some very sharp and wicked-looking shadow-spikes coalese out of his body and launch out towards Spinner on trailing tethers ... and embed in the wall on either side of her head with just a couple inches to spare. All to see how she reacts to what might be a sudden attack.

"How'd you do that?" Spinner asks, turning to examine the spikes. She tries to pull one out of the wall. "Is it a miracle from Sunala, or something I can learn?" She has a disturbing grin as she goes about this. Too small to have been a Yodhblakat perhaps?

The shadow melts and starts crawling up her hand. And into it. "Not much of a startle reflex, at least. Unfortunately, not learnable. I had to kill and consume an elder monster to gain that ability," he remarks, amused.

"Reaaally?" Spinner asks, and licks the shadow on her hand, while flexing her fingers to try to feel it on the inside. "How much did you have to consume?"

"All of it," Alptraum answers as his eyebrow arches again. He's pretty sure the shadow itself has no taste, but he does know if feels a bit like oiled rubber; doesn't pull fur or anything, just weirdly slick and slimy-feeling yet not slimy in terms of leaving a trail.

Spinner looks at Alptraum while licking the shadow, as if calculating how much he weighs. Then she tries to bite the shadow penetrating her hand. "Bleh!" she goes immediately afterwards. Alptraum can feel the bite: Spinner has very sharp teeth.

And the Shadow then wraps around her mouth like a muzzle and cinches tight. Then plugs her nose so she can't breathe. "I already know what you're thinking, and I suggest you stop thinking it quickly. Well, unless you want me to turn you into something tiny, cute, and utterly harmless for the rest of your life. Killing is easy, I am more ... creative in discipline," he remarks a bit dryly and sounding unconcerned by her antics. "Nod yes and behave, and I might let you breathe again," he comments.

The Eeee girl seems determined to resist.. but does nod eventually, before she looks like she's about to pass out.

Alptraum waves his hand and the shadow dissipates into nothing. "Good girl. I think I like you," he comments with a grin. "Now, so you're aware of what this is. We're transporting at least a dozen people who are bound into a powerful and deadly ritual. None of them must come to any hard or it could cause a cascade trigger of the whole ritual. They're being taken far out of the city where I can try to dismantle the ritual without risk to, well, everyone in the city. We are also transporting the most dangerous and deadly of the former Royal Mages, who is at the epicenter of the spell. If it goes off, it's likely he'll become something very deadly, very dangerous, and close to immortal. Moreso than he already is. Much more. So, this is a serious mission, a lot is at stake. If I could take them alone, I would, but I cannot manage a ship alone. Anyway, we will be a very small crew; no room for anyone who wants easy, or thinks they can hide. If any of you think this is too much and believe they cannot handle it, speak up right now. I will not judge, nor will I hold it against you. I will also speak to High Priestess Koldesh on not holding it against you, either. I need people who believe they can do this, and want to try to. Not because they're afraid they have no real choice."

"Sounds good to me," Koth says. "I won't get a better chance to use my skills," he claims.

"Rag helped Koth enter a competition he wasn't supposed to be part of," Ruth says.

"Archers," Rag replies. "Just because he's a man doesn't mean he shouldn't be allowed to compete and fight."

"Of course not," Alptraum tells Rag. "Gender means nothing to me. Granted, I can change mine at will, but that just goes to show it's a meaningless thing to measure someone on."

"Aerial hunting," Ruth says. "Yodh hunting Yodh, that is. He injured a captain."

Sprinkle says, "I'll stab anyone who gets in our way. I don't care if they're immortal or not."

Alptraum nods. "Next time, ask me. I can make you a woman for a while," he comments to Koth and grins. "No girdle needed."

"Details, please," Alptraum presses. "That happening on this mission would be fatal, to everyone on the ship."

Sprinkles grimaces and finally looks Alptraum in the eye. "It was a pirate. I brought him in, but he began telling lies about.. my behavior. I had already been wounded, I was tired, and.. he was going to be executed anyway," she huffs.

"That I aroused with bloodlust, and that I was going to rape him and.. such nonsense," Sprinkle mostly growls. She's clearly still angry about the incident.

"Well, then keep this in mind. Your prisoner won. He got you to do what he wanted, and in turn also get you punished. In reality, YOU were the prisoner, and he was the one calling the shots," Alptraum points out. "You gave him your power, and that is the worse mistake here."

"I'm angry at myself," Sprinkle claims. "I'm a warrior. I don't have guard training. I will stick to the purpose I've trained for. I know my limits."

"You may have to guard on this mission, and deal with people who are panicking and scared," Alptraum says.

"But I won't be fighting them," Sprinkle says. "I just have to fight whoever comes after them, yes? If you want them taken as prisoners, I can hand them to Ardeth."

Alptraum nods. "All right, you may remain," Alptraum concedes. "Are there any questions from any of you?"

"Less than a week. I do not want to stress the people, nor be exposed, for long. It all depends on what happens along the way. And hopefully we do not have to go into the city of the dead," Alptraum says.

"What sort of pet needs a spiked collar?" Spinner asks. The others seem interested in the answer as well. Do Yodhrephath keep pets?

"I don't think we have those in the armory," Ruth notes. "You'll have to bring one."

"Where will be picking up the.. passengers?" Ardeth asks. "Are there any health or dietary issues to worry about?"

"Here," Alptraum answers. "All sorts, from skeeks, to an Aeonian. And two more from the Mage's tower. Dietary is all over the map, carivores, to herbivores, and even, well, a vampire."

"If that's all, I'll make sure they're kitted out and ready before dawn," Ruth says. "I assume the airship will have a crew? We aren't sailors."

"Me? I won't be on the ship anyway," Spinner says. "But you are the Barsunala. So I assume you command an army of spirits."

"She doesn't trust mages," Pith notes. "Will there be an Air Mage? That's the important one to watch for."

"I'll watch the Air Mage then," Pith says. "They're always the ones who get targeted first in an attack, and it can be really bad if they go down in the middle of a spell."

"Given the Yodhrephath I have being treated for severe injuries from an interrupted spell, I am well aware," Alptraum says with a nod.

"I do not know how let her get hurt, but she bore the brunt of a nasty lightning spell. She will recover in time; I have the best doctors I know looking after her," Alptraum tells Ruth. "Friend of yours?"

"She's an important asset," Ruth says. "I trained her. Not suited to combat, honestly. But she is more important in battle as a mage."

"Close. Hard to compare them really. And no, this one does not look like Rephath, and it's a guy," Alptraum clarifies.

"A fluffy one?" Pith asks, just before Ardeth punches her in the shoulder. "Stay focused," she says.

"I dunno," Spinner says. "Koth is darker, but you've got the white hair and silver eyes.."

Alptraum rolls those eyes, too. "This isn't a pleasure cruise, you know," he points out. "Debauchery is unlikely."

"Maybe I should have Koth share quarters with me to ensure no shenanigans," he adds.

"I should stay out on the deck," Koth notes. "Spinner will be off on her Ptera, so we should be safe."

"I can sleep in my saddle," Spinner claims. "Ptera can go for almost a whole day without sleep."

"All right, well, no one shares my room then. Your loss," Alptraum jokes. "And if that's all, I'd best prep the people, and get this little air nightmare going."

"If these kids give you an trouble, feel free to discipline them as you see fit, Barsunala," Ruth says, and gives a slight bow. The others a moment later.

"Though if they are a real problem, I'll turn them into poodles," Alptraum remarks darkly.

"Plenty of things worse than death, after all," Alptraum notes and nods. "I'll see you all soon."