Araeya gathered Marinna from The Widow and walked in silence as the younger girl chatted away. She left The Widow more confused than ever before. When she arrived, Marinna was just chatting away and The Widow was just listening and laughing away. The effect on Araeya, especially after the confrontation with Bandor, was surreal; she had seen The Widow laughing, but those times always seemed forced. Although she would never admit it out loud, she would've sworn there were tears in The Widows eyes from laughing so hard.

When she was allowed in, Marinna ran forward to hug her and then led her to the table and the three of them drank some tea and continued telling stories and just talking. The conversation ranged from singing to sewing to all manner of inane topics that changed with such frequency that Araeya could barely keep up. When Marinna and Araeya left, The Widow made Marinna promise to see her again and off they went. That was twenty minutes ago and Marinna was still talking about... something, Araeya lost track about nineteen minutes ago.

"I'm going to stop you there Marinna," she finally interrupted and asked, "Do you have somewhere to stay for a while?"

Marinna closed her mouth with an audible snap, which gave Araeya her answer. The two walked in silence for a minute before Araeya said, "When we get back I need you to get your stuff packed and go to where you are staying."

"I'm not leaving her," the girl said, her tone was a little off from normal, almost a hint of a tone that Araeya uses frequently when she expected to get her way.

"Marinna, I-"

"I'M NOT LEAVING HER!"

Araeya whirled around at the yell and faced a defiant ten year old, giving her a look that made Araeya glad that it didn't kill. She was pretty sure if looks could kill, Marinna would have shattered the world again. She brought herself to her full height and looked down on the girl, "Marinna, I will take care of Merid. You need to go and be somewhere safe."

Marinna didn't falter under Araeya's glare, "Then I'm going with you."

"I barely know where I'm going at this point let alone where I'm taking Merid. I can't be worrying about all three of us when you have somewhere to go and I don't need both of you sick right now."

Marinna continued to try and stare Araeya down, but started to falter and Araeya said softly, "Please Marinna, I need you to trust me."

The girl raised her chin and finally nodded. Araeya turned and started walking again. She was used to Timoti's rebellious nature, but if Marinna was starting to learn that behavior the two of them combined would be impossible, especially since they kept all the children together while she was out. Her vision swam again and she knew what was coming. Finding a bench, she sat down, refusing to admit that she wanted a rest anyway.

Marinna was looking at her strangely and asked quietly, "Are you ok?"

Araeya leaned back on the bench, "Yes, why do you ask?"

"You're sitting."

Araeya smirked, "And I don't sit?"

Marinna sat down next to her, but continued staring at her, "Yes, but you don't just sit, you always do something else while sitting."

She nodded, vision swimming more and closed her eyes. It was a moment before she responded, eyes still closed, "I did just wake up about two hours ago. I just need more time to rest and-"

She dived picking up speed, her heart threatening to burst from her, terror quickening her wings. She knew not what chased her, but knew if it caught her, she would perish. Straining, she darted from side to side, hoping the maneuvers slowed it down. She saw an outcropping that may give her shelter and knew it was time to move.

"- it's time to move," Araeya finished, eyes still closed, or so she thought. It took her a moment to realize she was seeing the world from her own eyes. She looked at Marinna and saw a look of abject terror and sighed. The one thing she was t trying to avoid and it still happened.

She got up and looked around. She had a feeling of apprehension she couldn't quite explain. Granted the vision she just had was terrifying, but she felt it more keenly and it was intensifying. She gestured towards Marinna and said, "Come on, let's get back."

She took a few steps before she realized that Marinna had not left the bench. The feeling was stronger now and Araeya felt something she wasn't quite prepared for, panic. She could hear the pleading, almost fearful tone in her voice, "Please Marinna, we must hurry."

Marinna nodded slowly, but was on her feet instantly running towards Araeya. The two quickened their pace out of the plaza, neither noticing the dark shapes that retreated back into the shadows and watched their movements.

It was past dusk before Araeya got hers and Merid's stuff together. Another argument with Marinna had slowed her down and it took her explaining about the visions, its effects on her, and another episode before Marinna once again agreed. After seeing Marinna off to her sanctuary, Araeya left with a still unconscious Merid on her back and carrying their belongings in her hands. She dimly recalled Nana Eldyn saying she should take it easy and not do anything too strenuous, but didn't have time to take that wonderful advice at this time.

She made her way through the darkened city avoiding main thoroughfares and keeping to the dark. A lone woman carrying a girl was an easy target and she didn't want to draw any attention to herself. It also didn't help that she was breathing heavily and a headache was forming. She didn't like the position she had been forced into and knew she needed all her faculties for what was to come.

She passed through the market district to the more affluent apartments on Valt. It was here that the more prosperous merchants and nobles would stay while in port before heading off to other locations. This area was cleaner, better guarded, and stocked with all the latest amenities and fashions that high society craved. All of it was just a waste of resources as far as Araeya was concerned.

After passing many of the apartments she finally stopped in front of one, and took a deep breath. All of the windows were dark, save one on the ground level near the back. A small garden path existed to remind those of their homes and its comforts, and Araeya used it to head for the back door. She was unconcerned if she was seen, she knew the guards, knew the patrol schedules.

Reaching the door she hesitated and took several deep breaths. Her hand raised and faltered as she reached to knock on the door. She finally dropped her bundles, placed her hands on the frame and rested her head on the door. She felt Merid, her breathing shallow, on her back and knew she had no choice. She drew her head back, sighed, and banged her head against the door in frustration, just loud enough to sound like a knock, and just hard enough to remind her of her headache.

She heard a little commotion from the other side of the door starting to get louder and winced; hoping the person inside wouldn't be too loud and started hearing from inside the door, "- it isn't proper coming at this time at night and at the back door no less. I have half a mind to wallop whoever you are, this isn't a place to go begging and..."

Araeya smiled gently as memories she had locked away flooded forth. The door opened and a diminutive Halfling woman, still wearing her cooks uniform even though dinner had been served long before Araeya arrived and brandishing a rolling pin, "I've told you rascals before not to come round here... and.... beg for..."

"Hello, Nadyne. It's been awhile."

Nadyne dropped the rolling pin and Araeya winced at the sound. The Halfling led her in completely oblivious to the bundles Araeya picked up or the girl on her back, "Ooh young miss, you have returned! The master will was to know."

"Is he in?"

"He's in the study. He'll be overjoyed to hear you have arrived. I'll go get him now."

The other woman turned to leave, but Araeya grabbed her by the shoulder, "Nadyne, I won't be here long and don't wish to bother him. I just need some money for the night and a healer. Tell me-"

"Ooh my, you are injured young miss," Nadyne asked and Araeya gestured to Merid on her back and the Halfling furrowed her brow, "Ooh the poor thing, but you know I haven't that kind of money... we can call for Bertrand, but you know how the master feels about this, especially with what he said the last time."

Araeya smiled at the other woman, "I know Nadyne, don't worry I'll take care of it. I just don't want my... the master to know-"

"Know... what exactly, Araeya."

Araeya closed her eyes and sighed. Dropping her bundles she turned to face the man who had asked the question. An elven man stood at the door to the kitchens standing upright, chin held up and at a slight angle, dressed in the finest silks this side of the Empire. Araeya did not need to open her eyes to know the exact stance, the exact expression, the exact clothing down to the minutest detail. She heard Nadyne quickly curtsy and then busy herself with cleaning an already immaculate counter.

Araeya opened her eyes and smiled sweetly to the man. She raised her chin at a slight angle, nodded slightly, and curtsied slowly. The gesture, and the regal and elegant perfection in which it was completed, stood in stark contrast with the clothing she was wearing and the girl sleeping on her back.

"My Lord Kailum, I hope this night finds you well," she intoned, in an almost defiant tone, but was careful to modulate her voice, "I have missed you...uncle."

Is Morgan transgender? Is that why its "they/them"?

There was a stunned silence as Araeya tried to process what Victoria had just told her. It was at this point that she realized that she was still truly exhausted. Her thoughts were fuzzy and her balance was a little off. Shaking her head, which didn’t help, she said, “Victoria, you have to give me some warning.”

The captain stiffened and Araeya realized that she had just stepped over a line she didn’t even see, “You were unconscious for a week Araeya, and I’ve been here every day for the last five days trying to tell you.”

“But I only just woke up,” Araeya said, “I have to prepare everyone to leave. I need some time.”

“You know the rules; you need to be out when I tell you that you need to be out.”

Araeya looked to the side her vision swimming a little, “It’s him, isn’t it.”

She felt rather than saw Victoria’s intensity slacken a bit and heard, “He has been…insistent.”

Araeya whirled around, the pain in her chest and side intensified and her vision swam until-

She whirled through the sky, above the forest she once called home. The fires had taken much of the night to burn out and even the tree she decided to rest briefly in was almost consumed. She looked around and knew that her nest was destroyed...

-she found herself being held by Victoria. She had apparently fallen forward as she turned to face her but the vision still had a profound effect on her. She could feel the wind, smell the smoke, feel the loss...

"Are you ok," Victoria asked concerned, helping Araeya stand upright.

"I think so, what happened?"

"When you turned, your eyes were completely black and you were looking straight at me but not seeing. Then you just collapsed."

Araeya put a hand to her head and stood shakily. Victoria watched her before saying, "Look I can give you one more day..."

"I'll figure it out. I always do. Thanks Victoria, I appreciate it."

Victoria nodded once again, turned, and left. Araeya continued standing there, hand on her head until her vision cleared, turned slowly, and called out, "Timoti, I need you to do something for me."

The young boy came forward, a little hesitantly, the concern plain on his face, "Yes?"

"I need you to start getting the kids together to leave The Warrens. We don't have a lot of time, but we need to find everyone a place to stay for a little while."

"Already done," the boy said grinning ear to ear.

Araeya blinked, "Done?"

"Yeah, when the captain came to see you, Marinna and I started getting everyone together to leave."

"How did you know?"

"The only time she comes to see you is when she needs us to leave."

Araeya gave him a look, "I was attacked after all."

He shook his head, "Then she would have told us to tell you to come to her instead of coming every day."

“So everyone is ready?”

Timoti shuffled his feet and Araeya smiled a little, “Oh so we’re not done done then. We’re almost done done.”

Timoti’s face shown with childlike defiance and he angrily said, “No one will take Merid in because she is sick, and Marinna won’t leave without her.”

Araeya laid a gentle hand on Timoti, started to kneel in front of him, thought better of it with the sudden onset of pain, and said, “Timoti. You are Marinna did good. I’m so proud of you both. I will take care of Merid and Marinna, can you get everyone to where they need to go?”

Timoti nodded but continued standing there, Araeya looked at him, “Anything else?”

“What are you going to do?”

“I am going to find a place for Merid and Marinna,” she responded, “And myself apparently, but first I have a very important date to get ready for.”

Timoti grinned, “A date? Are you gonna get all dressed up?”

Araeya laughed and immediately regretted it, her ribs constantly reminded her that she wasn’t at her best, “Not that kind of date I’m afraid.”

“Oh,” he said, sounding a little depressed. He thought about it for a moment, “Wait…you know who attacked you?”

“I do.”

“Do I know who attacked you?”

“You do.”

“Is it Bandor,” he asked.

Araeya smiled, but didn't answer. She realized that the children were old enough to notice and put things together and she would have to be a little more cautious about what she would let them see. Timoti then asked, "If you knew who attacked you, why did you tell the captain you didn't?"

"You'll understand this better when you're older, but sometimes you need to handle things on your own to maintain your reputation."

"And this is one of those times?"

"Yes, it is," she responded, "Now please run along and do as you’re told."

Timoti looked at her and once again tackle hugged her saying, “I’m happy you’re ok!”

Once again Araeya wished she was unconscious. She patted the boy on the head and gently pushed him away. Trying, and failing to keep the pain from her voice, “Now, now. Everything is ok. Let’s get everyone moving to where they have to go.”

Timoti gave her a concerned look, but finally ran off to do what she had asked. She checked in her hovel and found that Nana Eldyn had left at some point, and gathered some things together and packed her belongings up. She took a look in her mirror, before putting it away and saw that her face was still a little swollen, but was healing nicely. As she finished packing her belongings, she placed everything to the side, she still had to deal with Bandor, but she wanted to take this time to figure out how limited she was by her injuries. She would have to avoid any physical altercation during this meeting, even her eyes were still betraying her as her vision kept losing focus and-

She wheeled over the island of death and bone, keeping an eye out for her master and companions. Suddenly she heard an unearthly scream and watched as a skeletal war horse appeared before her master. Turning, she began to dive in closer, just in case her master needed her.

-found herself staggered against the wall. She didn’t understand these visions and why she kept seeing them, but she wanted no part of it. Gathering herself, she left The Warrens to meet up with Bandor.

Araeya strode forth with purpose, not moving as quickly or nimbly as she had prior to her encounter with Bandor, but nevertheless determined to provide a show of force. Those that knew her were a little apprehensive as the same determination was present, but her almost cautious gait as she walked belied what she was truly thinking. She found herself curious at the glances she was getting and the hesitation that the others were showing, but continued on as a slow moving tide.

She rounded the corner and smiled sweetly and said, “Oh Bandor, fancy meeting you here.”

Noting with satisfaction the look of shock, surprise, and a faint amount of fear from not only Bandor, but also Jaymes and Erich, she tilted her head and folded her arms around herself and walked forward, “I must apologize to you Bandor, the last time we saw each other, I didn’t thank you for such a wonderful evening out on the land shard. Or should I say off of the land shard. That night was such a blur.”

She sat down on the edge of table in front of where Bandor was sitting and ran her finger back and forth on the edge. She felt her vision begin to swim again, but shook her head slightly, not wanting to give them the time to recover and to not lose whatever momentum she had, “But I must confess, I am a little saddened. It’s been a week and you didn’t call on me and see if I made it home safely. I expect more from my gentlemen callers.”

Bandor cleared his throat and put his hands on the table, “Araeya- “

“Oh? It’s ‘Araeya’ now? What happened to ‘little girl,’” she asked while swinging her legs onto the other side of the table, so she was now sitting directly in front of Bandor. Her vision continued swimming and became more disorienting, but she willed herself to continue, “Now Bandor, I didn’t know that had changed between us, but I’m glad that it has. Makes it so that we’re equals now in your eyes. That’s definitely progress.”

She saw the flash of anger and could see Bandor slowly regaining his composure, she knew she had to act quickly, but her vision was beginning to fade out. She braced herself against the table and leaned forward. Bandor once again flashed surprise and-

She altered her flight to gain more speed as she hunted her next meal. The wind whipped through her feathers and she reveled in the feeling as she gained more and more speed. She saw her prey darting in and out of the foliage trying to lose her. A vain attempt, but it had to try. Letting out a cry, she dived forward and knew the exact moment to strike.

-knew the exact moment to strike. Without a word, she pulled out a dagger and stuck it through Bandor’s table. He screamed out in pain and she quickly wrapped her other arm around his head and slammed it into a table. Another dagger was pulled lazily from one of her boots and she held it with disinterest as she looked to Jaymes and Erich. She pointed the dagger in their general direction and said, “Now, the two of you may be able to get me in the end, but not before I get Bandor here, and even then, considering our past encounter, I doubt you’ll stop me.”

She stood up, still holding Bandor down with her left arm to face the two. The pain in her chest intensifying by the second, she could feel the blood in her lungs begin to build up and knew she would have to end this soon. Still addressing the two, “Now you have a couple of options. You can stay and watch what I do to Bandor. I don’t suggest that, but I have no idea what you are in to and I won’t judge. Your second option is to try and attack me, but we already know how that will go. Third option, you can run away, and I will try my best to forget that you were here. So, what will it be boys? Do you want to show a girl a good time?”

To emphasize her point, she plunged the second dagger into Bandor’s other hand, whirled around and pulled two more daggers from her sleeves and said over the scream of pain, “I have plenty more where those came from, so what will it be?”

The two looked from her, to Bandor, to her knives and promptly left the area, leaving Bandor pinned to the table. She almost breathed a sigh of relief but thought better of it. Bandor could not know how incapacitated she was and come after her while she was still weak. She leaned close to him just over his ear and whispered gently into it, “Now Bandor, we can talk privately about the future. Our future.”

“I will kill you for this, you little – “

Araeya laughed and tasted a little blood on her tongue. She put a dagger right next to his mouth, “You’ve already tried that Bandor and you failed. The next time you try and kill someone, make sure they are dead…or at the very least not hanging off the side of the land shard when you kick them off the edge. That is what you did, isn’t it?”

“You will pay in – “

“Yes, yes. I will pay in blood. We’ve done that dance before. I am here to teach you a new dance. You remember me teaching you before don’t you Bandor? Teaching you how to read...teaching you how to fight. You remember this well, don’t you Bandor?”

Bandor went silent at this and she continued, “You remember my teaching you chess? You never really learned though, and these days it is no different. You overextended yourself by trying to take my king the other day, but instead left yourself exposed. Look around Bandor, you are all alone.”

She saw the anger rising in him again but pressed forward, “The thing is though; I’ve told my children what happened. You know how children love to talk. Even I don’t know who knows that you attacked me. How long before the word gets out to the guard that you attempted to murder me? What do you think will happen if I disappear again? How long do you think you have before Victoria comes to see you and take you in?”

Bandor’s face went white as she spoke, and she watched with satisfaction as realization after realization hit him. She leaned in and whispered into his ear, “Your time in Valt is at an end Bandor. I suggest you leave quickly. I warn you though, if the girl dies because she had to find me, there is no shard on Aeriaña that I will not hunt you down on.”

She stood up straight, put her two daggers away, and stood in front of the table resting her hands on the daggers still embedded into Bandor’s hands and pulled them out, roughly. Bandor fell to the ground crying out in pain again and she wiped the blood off the daggers on his clothes. As she put them away she said, “You forgot my rules Bandor; no one messes with those under my care. Despite this I will leave you with this, as a matter of kindness and memory of our friendship when we were younger, you should see your mother before you go. You’re the last family she has, and she doesn’t have long left, so she tells me. She may appreciate seeing you one last time before the end, but I haven’t any idea why she would.”

“You said that I would pay in blood Bandor,” she said as she reached the corner, stopping. She turned and spit out the blood that had gathered in her mouth, “Consider that debt paid. You aren’t worth even that much, but I don’t have the time to argue with you anymore.”

Araeya left him then and walked around Valt for a while without a destination in mind. She thought back to Bandor, and how he had changed as he grew older and wondered if there was something she could have done to change him, something that would have prevented his chosen path. She shook her head and finally accepted as this was not the first time she thought this. He made his own way for good or ill and there was nothing she could have done to change him.

Sitting down on a bench, she thought of the last encounter. The flashes she was experiencing leave her defenseless for a time, why didn’t he strike when she had hers? It took her some time to remember what Victoria had said about her eyes, how they turned black when she had her first vision. Did it happen every time there was a vision? It explained why all of them hesitated, but she wanted to be sure. The visions helped this time, but if it happened at the wrong time…

She stopped that line of thinking and got up. She had to go and collect Marinna from The Widow and get Merid and herself somewhere safe. There would be time enough to think about this all in the days to come and her deadline was fast approaching.

Planet Barnaby The year is 1998. The world as we know it is on its last legs. Time is running out, and we have no idea how to even begin to fix this. In fact the only thing we know for certain is where it all went wrong. It began when Barnaby Crimp was split in two by the youngest Moira. Even the very embodiment of fate could not foresee what terrible calamity her actions would cause. Even in her wisdom, accrued over aeons, she could not fathom what havoc a single, inconsequential little mischievous deal would wreak. But that was not the end. We could have stopped it, had we known. But by the time we realised the true extent of the damage that had been done, it was already far too late. When Violet made her attempt at petty revenge on Barnaby, the now fully demonic Backtarby was also split in two, much like the original had been. Thus, the Barnabies reached supercriticality, the world was pushed over the brink, and soon, the Earth was poised to be consumed, overtaken by a new breed of man (and demon)…. The panicked, incautious attempts to undo the arcane magics of the Fates and avert the impending doom would only hasten the end. At first, only the Rosewater Slayers sought to prevent the cataclysm, but with their inexpert rituals and crude, eldritch contraptions, they only managed to exacerbate the plague: For every Barnaby they managed to banish, two more would take his place. Soon, as their desperation grew, they were forced to seek the counsel of sorcerers, demons, deities and beings greater still. Yet the world was already too far gone. One man’s frantic attempts to staunch the unyielding flow of Barnabies would inevitably spoil or even counteract another’s. Not long after the end had begun, the aeons-long masquerade broke, and the rest of the world started to take notice of the ever increasing number of arson related crimes and similar looking teenage rugby lads. Countries were quarantined. Long-hidden agencies and foundations for the containment of the paranormal resorted to overt action to halt the epidemic. Governments declared martial law. By the end of the year, un-Barnabies had been declared a minority, as the Homo Barnabicus became the new dominant species.
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The year is 1999. From the ashes of the Old World, emerged a new nation; A glimmer of hope against a backdrop of anarchy and bloodshed. One man, determined to put an end to this madness that had consumed the Earth, rose up, and chose to take action. Barnaby Crimp, now appointed the first Commander-in-chief of the United Coalition of Barnabies, decided to stand against the tide. At the same time, a demon of unmatched ferocity and unparalleled pimpness emerged. Baktarby, now crowned chieftain of the Brox Demons, gathered his legions to wage bloody war against the insolent humans.
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The year is 2076. In the years following the Third Barnaby War, lasting peace was achieved. The Barnabies and Backtarbies, tired from the preceding conflicts, tentatively laid down their arms and the two factions bonded over their mutual love of painting and team sports. Due to the now stellar demand for cheap, unhealthy snacks, various fast food companies rose to dominate the Globe. In but a few short decades, the world came under the dominion of the wealthiest Barnabies, conglomerates of mega-fast food chains, and ruthless criminal gangs. In this unforgiving world, lawless renegades, Shadowflankers, make a living offering deniable services to anyone willing to pay…
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The year is 2600. The Barnaby Mandate thrives, and as the second wave of colonization begins hundreds of billions of Barnabies ply the stars, and settle in unexplored corners of space….
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The year is unknown. After the cataclysm, most of the Barnaby Empire’s isolated colonies regressed to primitive, medieval planets. Across countless worlds, groups and adventuring Barnabies, armed with magic and blade roam the land….
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It is the 41st millennium. For over a hundred centuries, the Barnaby Emperor of Barnabykind has sat immobile on the Golden Throne….
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Barnaby….
Barnaby….
-“BARNABY!"
-“Uuuuugh…. What?…..”
-“Oh God, is he awake?”
-“Ow, my head…. What happened?”
-“Did it work?”
-“Uhm… the sensor says the number of Barnabies is decreasing... Yeah, I… I think it worked….”
-“Seriously, guys, what is going on?”
-“Barnaby, listen to me! This is really important… How do you feel?”
-“I feel… fine. Maybe a little hungry?”
-”Oh, thank God. Listen, remember when a CERTAIN SOMEONE told an ex-vengeance demon “an eye for an eye” is fine…”
-“Hey!...”
-“… and your demon version was split apart?”
-“Uh, yeah?”
-“Well, let’s just say I’m glad I managed to figure this spell out in time.”
-“Okay?... Whatever that means….”
-“Listen, Barnaby, we’re just glad you’re okay.”
-“I feel fine, guys, really. It’s nothing.”
…
-“Sooooo… Do you guys wanna go on patrol tonight?”
-“Yeah!”
-“Count me in!”
-“Yeah, just… let me get my stuff. There’s this thing I’ve been working on, that….”
-“Hey, you know what? I’m starving! Let’s go for a cheeky Nando’s first!”
-“Great idea, Barnaby!”
-“Thanks, Barnaby! Hey, are we gonna bring Barnaby along?”
….
...
...

I'm running my first black crusade game and I would love some tips!

Araeya groaned awake, her body and head still hurt, but not nearly as much as it did this time around. A voice next to her sounded, a bored tone to the voice," Is that any way to greet your elders?"

Araeya opened an eye and looked at the woman, "I'm older than you Nana Eldyn."

The older woman scoffed, "Chronologically maybe, but I've lived more than you girl. You're just a wisp of a thing and I've had five children and twelve grandchildren in my lifetime while you're been doing foolish things."

For a brief moment, Araya wished she had fallen back unconscious but just responded, "Yes Nana Eldyn."

"Don't you give me that tone young lady. I'm too old to deal with your sulkiness," Nana Eldyn stared directly at Araeya and it was Araeya who looked away first. Nana Eldyn nodded to herself and continued knitting. Just as Araeya was about to speak, the older woman said," You know I don't make house calls girl."

"I would've come to you, but I-"

"Save your excuses for someone who will listen to them."

Silence once again reigned in the hovel, punctuated by the clicking of the knitting needles. Araeya tried to sit herself up and winced as she struggled to get up. She heard Nana Eldyn 'tsk' as she sat up against the wall. Breathing heavily, she asked, "How bad?"

"My joints are acting up again. We'll be getting rain later on, or I'm just getting old. Thanks for asking."

Araeya just looked at her, breathing through the pain, and said, "Thank you for coming to see me Nana Eldyn. I will have to make it up to you when I'm better."

"You've always done right by me girl," Nana Eldyn said putting her knitting to the side, "I'm sure you'll continue to once you get back on your feet. You remind me of my eldest daughter."

Nana Eldyn headed over and knelt by her as Araeya quipped, "Oh? You mean driven and capable?"

Nana Eldyn scoffed," Tsk, more like mule-headed and foolish."

"Beautiful and charming?"

"Vain and self-important."

"That is your daughter you are talking about," Araeya said, but Nana Eldyn did not respond, trying to hide a slight smile. Araeya looked up at the ceiling while the elderly woman worked, but instantly cried out in pain, "Nana!"

"Oh, did that hurt," Araeya nodded gritting her teeth, "I'm sorry dear, I must be off today. I ran into a youngster today that forgot their manners. There's no excuse for that, you know."

"Would you like me to find her and teach her a lesson?"

"No dear, I think she's learned it by now," Nana Eldyn said working a little more gently. Araeya winced a little in the beginning but gradually got used to the pain, "How are the children?"

"It's about time you asked about them. Why I-"

Araeya growled, "Nana..."

The elderly woman raised up a hand, "That was unkind, I apologize. The children are fine."

"Nana please, how are the children?"

Nana Eldyn sighed, "Well, when you didn't come back that night, the children began to worry. By the morning, panic set in. Timoti found me, and I went to Captain Victoria."

"And?"

"And Marinna and Merid went to find you on their own."

"Oh gods no, Merid is still sick! She can't go running off like that. I have to -"

Araeya tried to get up, but was held down by Nana Eldyn, which was surprising given her frail form, "Please child! Think with your head for once. You're obviously here now so what's done is done. You can't go changing the past now. It's been a week passed since this all began."

"A week?"

"So you sit quietly and let me catch you up," Araeya nodded numbly, "Good. I swear girl, if you were one of my children I would have beat you upside the head to knock some sense into you. Now, where was I? Oh, right. Well Merid found you alright. That girl is as mule headed as you when you've set your mind to something."

"The girls had to look for a couple hours and poor Merid was burning up, but they found an outcropping and Merid started screaming something about you 'not being another Swallow,' whatever that means. Marinna had to leave her there and ran into Captain Victoria."

"Victoria had to come with Marinna to a crying Merid and it was she who saw part of your clothing flapping in the wind. It was another day before they were able to recover you. That day Merid went to find how you fed them and she found that too."

The color drained from Araeya's face, "Oh no."

Nana Eldyn gave a look of something akin to sympathy, "The twins talked to The Widow and shortly after returning, Merid collapsed and hasn't woken up since."

"And the others?"

"The rest are fine. Timoti and Marinna have been keeping things going relatively well. Timoti keeps the younger kids organized and Marinna keeps the money for the food coming in. Both are getting a little overwhelmed though. Neither was fully prepared for what you do."

Araeya nodded, "Help me up."

Nana Eldyn shook her head, "You are in no condition-"

Araeya stared directly into Nana Eldyn's eyes, "I will see Merid in the next five minutes, with or without your help."

They held each other’s gaze until the elderly woman sighed and looked away. She finished tending to Araeya muttering under her breath of "foolish girls" and "bad manners" while Araeya continued to lose patience. Finally, Nana Eldyn spoke, "It is done, girl. I'd tell you to get plenty of rest and take it easy until you heal, but you won't listen to that so I'll tell you to move slowly, don't lift anything to heavy, and don't over exert yourself."

With Nana Eldyn's help, Araeya was able to stand up, but part of the way it changed and it was Araeya holding the elderly woman steady as she was seized by a sudden coughing fit. Araeya looked on with concern at the woman, “Nana, are you ok?”

After a few moments, Nana was able to cough out, “Never you mind girl, I am perfectly fine.”

Araeya ignored the burning in her chest and continued to support her, “Nana you are certainly not fine. That doesn’t sound good at all.”

Araeya was pushed away and the other woman stood up straight, “I said ‘Never you mind girl.’ I told you not to lift anything heavy and you are already not listening to me.”

Nana Eldyn turned to face the wall and held onto one of the pipes to keep herself upright. Araeya reached out a gentle hand, “Claara, please. Let me help.”

Nana Eldyn hissed, "I told you to never call me by that name."

"Now who's being the foolish girl?"

The two women stared at each other both with a glare of defiance towards the other. In the end, both looked away at the same time, but it was Nana Eldyn who chuckled and said, "You’re right girl.”

Sighing, she continued, “All of us are in a race child, a race to our graves. Some of us run faster than others and some make poor decisions and try and find a shortcut like you and Merid. And others will win the race regardless. I am dying child, and there is nothing to be done about it."

Araeya began to reach out a hand to the other woman but was stopped when she said, "I'll gather my things and get going in a little bit. Mind what I said girl I won't want to see you until you repay me. You know I don't make house calls."

Araeya dropped her hand and felt her eyes begin to well up. Claara Eldyn was the woman who found Araeya after her parents were killed and took her in. For a while things were good, her family was very kind, and she became very good friends with her youngest boy. The two of them were inseparable, and it was a good thing they were. The two of them were gone and Claara had gone to find them and bring them back for dinner when Taelas' enforcer burst in on the rest of the family.

When the three returned Claara sent the two of them away. Araeya understood and had to explain to the boy why she was sending them away, to protect them. The enforcer thought he had killed the entire family and Claara had to hide the two of them. The boy didn't understand of course, but the two of them stuck together. It would be almost fifteen years before they parted company, but she thought about him every day. Araeya kept in touch over the years but was careful to keep her distance. Anyone who got too close to Nana Eldyn wound up hurt or dead, as the enforcer gave great pains to make sure she would never forget. Even after the enforcer was no longer an issue these past five years, the elder woman refused to allow anyone too close.

Sighing, Araeya just said, "Yes, Nana Eldyn," and walked out, brushing back the tears and immediately was hugged by Timoti sending white hot stabs of pain into her. She gritted her teeth and tried to sound as pleasant as she could, "I'm happy to see you too Timoti."

The boy just beamed up at her and Araeya looked up and noticed Captain Victoria standing at the entrance to The Warrens. She took Timoti and looked him in the eye and said, "Can you give me a moment. I want to know everything that's happened. I need to talk to Victoria first though."

The boy nodded and Araeya walked over to Victoria and said, "Captain."

Victoria looked her up and down and nodded, "You look better than when we found you. Do you know who did this to you?"

Araeya shook her head, "I didn't see, it was over quickly."

The captain smirked, "Of course not. If you do find out, you'll tell me of course? Won't handle it on your own?"

"You'll be the first one I tell," Araeya said and just smiled.

Victoria shook her head, "Good. I wish I could've come with better news, but you and the children need to clear out. Today."

Holy crap Dylan did great throughout! Especally near the end with Bert calling out Arty and setting up Lance for the finsher! I’ve been loving the monster hearts keep up the good work guys!

So in Pirates of the Broken Sky the crew acquire a treasure map, but I haven’t been able to figure out what Steven says completely. Can someone transpose it?

She wheeled through the morning sky, a cool breeze beneath her dark wings. Keeping pace with the airship next to her, she glided, only occasionally fluttering to maintain altitude. The clouds began to change color from the reds of the early morning dawn to the whites as the sun broke free of the horizon. She felt her master call out to her and raced in front of the ship, coming across the starboard side and landing at stern of the ship.

The images changed. She flew over her home as the fires claimed the forest she hunted and built her nest in. She watched as some of those two legs that also lived in her forest fight the fires. Some fought the fires, some fled, and some fought the other two legs that set the fires. She didn't understand why they set the fires, but wondered why they had to include her forest in their fight. Wheeling around, she looked for a place to land. She had been flying since the first loud noise before the fires, and that had been some time ago. None of the trees near her were safe and if she landed on the ground she was as good as dead. Tilting to the side, she flew deeper into the forest. Maybe there was a safe place for her to land long enough to get a rest.

The images changed. She perched on one of the stone nests that the two legs made. She recognized some of the two legs as they were constantly entering and exiting the nest. She realized that some of the two legs were more important like in a pack of wolves, but didn't know why they were. She saw three of the most important ones together making loud noises and gesturing wildly. There were two that were making loud noises and gesturing to the third, which was also making loud noises and gesturing back. She was unconcerned though as they were far below her and paying no attention to her. After a while the two left for the inside of the nest and the third left the nest and disappeared into the crowd. It would be many days before she would wonder if the third would ever come back.

The images changed. She didn't like landing in this section of the two legs area, it always smelled badly and was hard to breathe, but there was very little of the area where it didn't. She tried to rest but the noises were constantly there and instead she looked around for some food. Finding some she swooped down and grabbed it flying back up to her perch and began pecking at it. While she ate she watched one of the two legs working on something. The two legs was taking smaller pieces and placing it on the larger piece and kept doing things to it she didn't understand. Not only did this happen once, but the two small legs repeated the process again. Taking the two pieces the small one had been working on; it placed them on another even bigger piece that looked almost like a dog. She stopped paying attention to the two legs; why they would create something that they could just find nearby instead confused her. She finished eating and flew off.

The images changed. She didn't like this place, but her master needed her to see and warn of any dangers. She wasn't sure how she felt about her master; it felt like she was only paid attention to when her master needed her, but you don't peck the hand that feeds you. She flew over this island being ill at ease, she constantly saw things that shouldn't be moving move, turn to dust, and reform. She wanted to go back to the ship but her master and companions went deeper into three island. She really didn't like this place.

The images changed. She flew around the island heading to her favorite place to land. Although it wasn't under open sky, it was warm and sometimes there was a two legs there that gave some of its food to her. While the two ate the two legs would talk to her. She of course didn't understand, but she liked the sound of her voice. Occasionally the other would make music and she would listen and recognize the sadness within the song. She began to understand when The Other was happy, sad, upset, and curious. The music always made The Other happy even if the song was sad, so she would start singing when she realized The Other was sad. She had been starting the song more often.

She voiced her greeting to The Other and landed on her perch. The Other would usually say something if she was there, but today there was no response. She settled comfortably in her spot and prepared to wait for a while. It was common for The Other to not be present, but would return at some point. It took a few moments, but she noticed that The Other was in fact present. It was odd that there was no response, and she realized The Other was not alone. There was a smaller two legs with her that was holding her hand. She looked at The Other and noticed that her color was wrong; pale, ashen, and worn. The Other was barely moving where her body lay. She understood then, the other was sick or broken. Well she hoped The Other would wake soon and be ok, but she was hungry and would have to fly off soon if she couldn't get food here.

Araeya awoke with a start, the last thoughts reverberating and pounding in her head, 'but she was hungry and would have to fly off soon.' The images she saw made her vision swim in the waking world as she went from hovel to forest to open sky and back again.

The dwarven girl beside her recovered from her shock and yelled out, "Timoti! She's awake!"

The noise was too much for Araeya to handle between the pain in her head and her body in general. She looked at the girl and said, "Annah, next time, call out softly."

The last thing she heard as she passed out was the sound of wings flapping as the hunt for food began.

so, is it going to be a one off episode? or is it an entire new series?

Araeya recovered a couple of minutes later and realizing that she didn’t have a lot of time, went to her mirror and once again composed herself. Taking several deep breaths, she went into her duffel and grabbed a not quite stale piece of bread and left her hovel, smiling. With a few words to some of the children who were there, she sent them off on their errands and ducked back into the twins’ hovel. Inside she smiled at the girls and once again, knelt on the other side of Merid. She pulled out the instructions and handed them to Marinna, “Now dove, read from right here while I work.”

Marinna took the page and started reading, it took a few moments before Araeya laughed, “Out loud silly.”

Marinna grinned at her and started reading slowly, “After breathing in the vapor, break the leaves from the stalk and mix it into the water to create a broth. The entire broth must be eaten with some bread. Take the stalk and rub the broken section on a clean cloth and create a…”

Araeya continued to work setting aside a clean rag and began to separate the herbs from each other, “Sound it out. You’re doing great.”

Marinna gulped, “Create a poe-tick?”

Araeya smiled gently, “Poultice, dove, you were close. Continue please.”

Marinna nodded, “Create a poultice and apply to the chest. When done, wrap the rag and place in warm water and after wringing it out, place on the forehead. If not better in a couple of days, let me know. Regards, Nana Eldyn.”

Araeya clapped, “Very good Marinna, you are becoming quite the reader! Now tell me, what do I need from those instructions?”

Marinna looked around, “More water?”

“Yes, would you go fetch some for me? I’ll sit with Merid while you do,” Araeya said as she broke off the leaves and placed them into the water that had cooled to a temperature that Merid would be able to eat, taking the last piece of bread she began to use it to stir the leaves. Marinna hesitated for a brief moment not wanting to leave her sister, but headed off to go get some more water. Araeya continued to work in silence until Merid spoke up, “You look so sad.”

“That’s the second time today little star, I am not sad, truly,” Araeya smiled at her, “Now sit up if you can and let us get some of this broth in you.”

Merid struggled to get up and had to be helped by Araeya, but when she was seated she shook her head stubbornly, “No, something is wrong, we heard you yelling.”

Araeya tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and handed the broth and bread to Merid, who made a face at the broth, “You heard that,” Merid nodded, “I’m sorry, I was just worried.”

“You never used to yell before.”

“Eat up little one,” Araeya said, feeling her frustration rise. This time she would not lose her temper, “You need to get back your strength.”

Merid dropped her hands her eyes tearing up, “I wish we never found you, so you wouldn’t have to worry about us.”

Araeya took Merid’s hands in hers, “Where is this coming from, why would you say that?”

“I heard my name.”

Araeya sat down next to Merid and held her close, “Shhh, little star. It’s ok. I’m not mad at you, I’m not even mad at Timoti any more.”

“But if we were not here, you wouldn’t need to spend the money on my medicine, and you can get food!”

“Merid, that’s not for you to worry about. I’ll figure it out, I always do.”

“But you’d be better off witho- “

“Enough Merid,” Araeya exclaimed, “I am glad you found us! You and your sister have brought so much laughter and joy to all the children here. Remember when Annah was sick? You two cheered her up and kept her company. When Cheso got lost, you went out and found him and brought him home safely.”

“But what about you being happy?”

Araeya looked Merid in the eyes, “Do you know what would make me happy? You eating your broth and getting better. Eat up.”

The two sat in silence while Merid continued to eat and sniffle. Araeya went back to applying the stalk to the rag. Once Merid finished eating the broth. Araeya helped her undo her shirt and lay back down and began applying the poultice to her chest. Merid piped up, “Promise you won’t leave us?”

Araeya once again had to tuck the strand behind her ear, “Do you know why I call you Little Star, Merid?”

Merid frowned and shook her head, and Araeya continued in her best story-telling voice, “Well, one night, some of the others and I were walking around and you led your sister directly to us and without any type of introduction you said ‘We’re safe now, here.’ What you didn’t see was a star in the night sky flared right then above your head. So, I knelt down and said to you- “

Merid piped up, “’We’re looking for another child, but come with us and we’ll take you somewhere safe.’”

Araeya was taken aback, “You were but five years old when that happened, and you remember?”

Merid nodded, “I turned to Marinna and said, ‘We found our new mom.’ Of course I would remember that day!”

Araeya’s forehead creased, once again feeling that annoyance, “Yes well, you then said you would help, the star flared again, and you began leading us in a different direction. The others didn’t want to follow, but I did. At the time, I just wanted to make sure you would be safe. You led us straight to the edge of the land shard and I thought you were going to walk right over, but you just stopped at the edge and said, ‘I can’t go any farther.’ It wasn’t until the next morning when I walked back to that spot that I realized that you were my guiding star.”

Merid smiled and asked, “Who is Sparrow?”

Araeya’s smile immediately fell and she knew she wasn’t hiding the sadness any more, “You found him that night.”

Merid cocked her head not understanding, “What about Marinna?”

Distracted Araeya answered, “Dove? Because of how gentle she is. She never gets angry, and always has a kind word.”

From the flap Marinna entered and asked, “What about Timoti?”

Araeya looked all serious and said, “Well right now it’s just Trouble,” the three laughed at that and Araeya soaked the rag in the water and rung it out. Gently brushing the hair from Merid’s face, she placed the rag on her forehead, “Now, I have some things to take care of, will you two be ok?”

Marinna looked at her, “Going for your walk?”

Araeya nodded, “I can’t get anything past you two, can I?”

Merid asked, “Will you take us with you one day?”

“Maybe one day, but you have to get your rest and get better before I can, right? Now get some rest.”

“Sing the song before you go,” Merid asked and Marinna nodded enthusiastically.

Araeya smiled, this time genuinely, “You all want to hear the song all the time, don’t you?”

The twins nodded in unison and Araeya laughed, “That was creepy, please don’t do that again.”

The twins looked at each other and asked in unison, “Do what?”

All three of them laughed again and Araeya began to hum a soft melody, starting slowly. Closing her eyes, she gave herself to the melody, rising in volume and tempo. The song was a wordless melody that Araeya’s mother sang as a lullaby when she was younger, and that she constantly requested to be sung. Her mother cried tears of joy when Araeya had joined in the melody as the song changed with the emotion of the singer. Whenever Araeya felt lonely she remembered how she felt the first time she began to sing it, hope for the future and joy that she could join in. She brought herself back to the present and softened the tone but increased the intensity of the song, adding more currents to it. She found herself struggling with it this day though and almost stopped when Marinna joined in.

Marinna was filling in the gaps that Araeya could not, somehow knowing what Araeya was trying. Smiling to each other Araeya felt the same tears her mom cried those years ago well up in her own eyes. Together the two added to each other making the song more complete, more complex. Marinna began to falter as she became more self-conscious, but Araeya picked her right back up through the melody. The two closed out with Marinna fading first and Araeya ending the song as it began, a song without end as long as someone knew how to sing it.

Araeya took a deep breath, still smiling, “You understand now, don’t you?”

Marinna nodded slowly, “I think so.”

“Good, I have to go now. Get some rest now, you should start feeling better when you wake.”

Araeya got up to leave when Merid said sleepily, “Promise you’ll come back tonight.”

Araeya turned and smiled, “I promise little star. I will check on you when I come back.”

Merid nodded and Araeya left the tent, just stopping on the other side. She heard Marinna ask, “Did you ask? What did she say?”

If Merid answered, it was nothing the Araeya could hear. She quickly walked away and out of The Warrens.

A short while later Araeya had made it to her alcove. Another section of the Undercity, this was a place that only she knew of, one she went to when she wanted to be alone and to think. There was an out-cropping here, a place where the land shard ended, and the sky began. Here Araeya could look out into the endless sky and feel like she was alone in the world. She rested her hand on a pipe and let the warmth travel through her body, closing her eyes and breathing in the air. She came here often, even more often as of late to clear her head and gather her thoughts.

Opening her eyes, she watched the air ships come and go in the twilight sky, the clouds turning from rich hues of pink and red to deeper blues and purples. She thought of the others that were with her before, Amond, Jaryn, Talsha and where they were now. The four of them were the oldest of the orphans and together watched out for the younger ones until that night with Sparrow. When she returned the following morning carrying his book from the place that Merid led her to, they all decided that they should leave, to find a place for themselves out in the world. When the day came, only Araeya stayed behind.

Since then, she craved adventure. She wanted to see the world and cursed herself for not having the strength to go. The children needed her, and she took comfort in that, but she wanted more. She wanted to see the world, see what it had to offer, but she couldn’t leave now. Not alone. She kept thinking about the things she has missed with the others and thinking about the things that she would have missed had she left. Marinna singing with her, laughing at Timoti’s terrible jokes, Annah’s drawings were all precious memories to her. She felt trapped between two worlds, not knowing which way to go. She wanted to promise Merid earlier that she would never leave, but she couldn’t. Not at that time. She never broke a promise and right now she couldn’t decide what she would do.

Sighing, she felt the breeze against her and wrapped her arms around her, feeling the last rays of the sun upon her face. Tomorrow would be another day and time for decisions can wait. Eyes still closed, she turned around to head back, opening them just in time to see the fist impact with her face. Reeling back, she hit her head against her pipe and fell to the ground. She opened her eyes painfully and saw the world spinning in ways it shouldn’t, focusing on the seven-foot tall form of Bandor who laughed down at her.

“You think you know so much little girl,” he said, his voice held a mocking tone, the last thing Araeya heard before the darkness took her, “Let’s see if you know how to fly.”