Chapter 4: The Festival of High Sun
Rising early, the party set out to enjoy the Festival of High Sun. First, the party encountered a strength competition in one of the dockside warehouses. With sets of crates laid out in a line, the contest would be to see who could carry the heaviest across the warehouse floor. Three of the contestants dropped out early, while Mesi and two others made it to the seventh crate. Only Mesi was able heft it across the floor, winning a crate of fine cloth and furs from the warehouse owner.
Continuing down the docks, the party found a warehouse that had been converted into an obstacle course. Mesi decided to take a break, with Sitara, Akash and Kasumi participating against a trio of locals. A series of timers were set, with each contestant being timed in their completion of the course. Kasumi went first, unsurprisingly setting the bar very high with a startlingly quick time. Sitara’s time was comparable to two of the other men who attempted, though everyone agreed that her run was the most stylish. Akash had some difficulty completing the course without the use of his powers, though everyone was very encouraging of his attempt. The last contestant seemed almost certain to beat Kasumi’s time, though when their times were finally compared, Kasumi came out ahead. His prize was a highly stylized statue of a monkey carved from a hard wood with gemstone eyes that seemed to follow one’s movement.
Further out on the piers the party got involved in a diving competition. Several boats bobbed out in the harbor, each having lowered a parcel into the bay. The contestants had to swim out to the boats, dive down and collect one of the packages. The last person to rise to the surface with a package would keep it. Again the trio competed, with Mesi watching from the shore. Two men rose quickly, with one of them not even making it to a parcel. Akash and Sitara surfaced shortly thereafter, leaving Kasumi and another man on the floor of the bay.
The two remained below long after the other contestants gave in, long enough that the moderators kept checking that both divers were still conscious. Eventually, Kasumi emerged just before the other man. Returning to shore, the other man unwrapped a fine pearl necklace. Insisting that Kasumi deserved a prize as well, the host begrudgingly agreed, with Kasumi having recovered a leather necklace of pearls, each one enclosed between shells. Kasumi, thoroughly impressed that someone had beat him, struck up a conversation with the victor, learning that he worked as a diver. Basir, the diver in question, found himself in amazement upon learning that Kasumi was an accountant. With an uncharacteristically cheery farewell, Kazumi set off with Mesi to the next competition.
Deciding they needed to dry off, Mesi and Kasumi held an impromptu foot race with a pair of young men on the dock. Quickly and quite unfairly outpacing the men, Kasumi pulled ahead and reached the agreed upon finish. Recognizing their handy defeat, Kasumi was gifted with a fine flask full of sweet fruit liquor.
...*...
Sitara wandered off in search of other contests. Finding a performance stage, she changed into one of her dancing outfits before submitting herself to the competition. The first contestant was a young woman performing an Ash-Sh’b scarf dance. While she was very skilled, Sitara noticed twice that she seemed to alter her dance when her scarves became entangled. The second dancer was an acrobat who vaulted himself about the stage with a staff, balancing on it rather impressively.
The third performer came forward, a young man holding a length of chain with an open weight on either end. When he struck the weights together, they erupted into flames. Akash, Kasumi, and Mesi arrived from their prior contest just in time to witness his breathtaking fire dance which drew shouts of excitement from the crowd and gasps of worry from the stage manager.
Both inspired and slightly nervous to follow such a performance, Sitara stepped on stage, completely soaked after having doused herself with a bucket of water, and concluded the set with a passionate and turbulent sword dance. Pirouetting in the puddles she left on the stage, she rained droplets upon the spellbound audience with every swish of her hems, every twirl of her blades, every whip of her hair.
When the host called on the crowd to judge, their cheers rose to a peak for both the fire dancer and Sitara. Unable to decide between the two, he declared them both victors, offering them the shared prize of a sunburst shaped pendant with an embossing of a pair of arms raised up. The fire dancer, who introduced himself as Shadi, kindly offered it to Sitara with a proposal of company after the day’s festivities were over.
As the two were celebrating their successes, a steely voice called out from the audience to challenge those watching to a true competition of the blade. Like water around stone, the crowd parted for a young woman endowed with a much more imposing presence than her average stature would suggest, touched with a cool and almost exotic allure.
When Kasumi noticed her hand rested upon the hilt of a beautiful Minzokan katana he was instantly intrigued, and more than a little tempted. Noting that the sword was marked with the Himura family crest, a clan famous for producing highly skilled swordsmen, Kasumi and Akash wondered how she had gotten her hands on such a blade.
Sitara graciously acknowledged that sword dancing and swordplay were indeed different skills, both worthy of the Jinns’ attention, and encouraged the audience to participate in this new competition. Akash and Mesi stepped forward to accept the challenge, along with several others. Looking to the contenders, the young woman asked what the conditions for victory would be. When Akash declared the contest to the yield, she gave a slight but wicked smile, and accepted.
Determining matches by drawing straws, the first was between a young man and a sailor who had stepped up from the crowd. Starting slowly, the sailor outmatched the young man, forcing a submission. The second contest, between the young man’s friend and a guard, ended quickly with the guard knocking the young man on his rump after a series of rapid attacks.
For the third round, Akash and another sailor drew matching straws, to the sailor’s obvious relief. The two continued as the previous competitors had, exchanging several stinging blows, but inflicting no real damage. In the end, Akash was able to get the best of his opponent, drawing a good-natured submission from the sailor.
For the fourth match, Mesi and the woman with the katana faced off. Eyeing each other up, Mesi approached with her sword drawn, although the young woman left her sword sheathed. Mesi struck the first blow, a stinging rap to the woman’s arm, to which she responded with a lightning draw and strike, slicing Mesi across the chest and drawing blood. Realizing this swordswoman did not intend to pull her blows, the pair continued the match in earnest. Eventually, Mesi was able to gain the upper hand, narrowly avoiding the woman’s blows while delivering her own.
Seeing the young woman pushing herself through her wounds, Mesi declared that she did not wish to continue the contest. When the swordswoman called on Mesi to submit, she refused, and the pair carried on fighting until the woman was barely standing. Despite this, it seemed she intended to press on when a voice called out from the audience. A plainly dressed Minzokan man came forward from the crowd and took the stage. With a look from the young woman, he seemed to recognize that the contest need continue, gave a nod, and stepped back.
Mesi, not wishing to accidentally kill the young woman, withdrew from the fight. The guard and sailor, having seen the intensity of the swordswoman's focus, withdrew as well, leaving Akash to face her.
Watching from the side, Sitara seemed to relax after Mesi’s forfeit, though not for long, her brow furrowing as Akash stepped forward. The spectators exchanged nervous looks, all sharing the same question: What would it take for her to stand down?
He approached the bloodied young woman, inquiring what would stop her, other than death. Holding her wounds with a grimace, she declared, in a manner that seemed more a solemn vow than a simple answer, that only death would stop her. At that, Akash dropped his blade and took to the sky, revealing himself as a Jinn-blood.
Proclaiming that she embodied some, but not all, of the virtues of her blade, Akash pitied the young woman before attempting to blast her off the stage with a gust of wind. She braced herself, driving her sword into the stage, but nearly succumbed to the gust until the Minzokan man and Sitara stepped in to support her. Sitara murmured something to the barely conscious swordswoman, and the Minzokan man gave Sitara his thanks, before taking his charge away.
Akash, admitting that he had violated the spirit of the challenge, declared Mesi the victor of the contest. Aghast at what had transpired, no one dared dispute the outcome. As the crowd dispersed, Mesi’s companions took her to the nearest medic to see to her wounds.
...*...
Opting to take a rest from more physical exertions, the party made their way to the Purple Lantern where they walked in on an informal concert. Sitara recited a delphic poem which was well received, about intimacy which ebbed and flowed as the tides, about a love like the sea, sometime wild, sometime halcyon...or perhaps this love was the sea. The young woman whom they often saw performing at the Purple Lantern sang about lost loves, softening even the hardest hearts in the audience and drawing a tear to every eye.
As they made their way towards the Bazaar, the party happened upon a pet race sponsored by Pirouz’ Menagerie. Realizing Kannuki was entering his new pet, the party stayed to watch the show. Though Kannuki’s pet was far from the quickest, it totally ignored the monkey contestant, which escaped its channel and proceeded to distract the other participating animals. Upon the beast’s completion of its obstacle course, Kannuki was rewarded with matching vests for himself and his pet. Pirouz offered to have Kannuki’s retailored, as it was made assuming someone of a more average stature. Afterwards, Nanako bought a puppy from Pirouz to raise for herding livestock on her farm.
Deciding to host a contest of her own, Sitara had arranged for several rafts to be strung loosely together in the harbor. Any and all were invited to try their hand at sparring with sticks atop the rafts—the victor would be the last one still dry. As a demonstration, Sitara crossed reeds with Jian, unexpectedly dunking the Master at Arms in the harbor. Several bouts followed, with Akash “sparring” a young child and gallantly allowing himself to be dunked. Kasumi also took a turn with Sitara, though he found himself outmatched by the Captain’s sea legs and likewise ended up in the harbor.
Making their way to one of the open performance grounds, the party decided to join a large eating and drinking contest hosted by the Gulbahar Winery. While Akash and Kasumi downed cup after cup of fine liquor, Mesi and Sitara took their turn at devouring pastries. Though they made a strong showing, Mesi’s wounds were too much of a distraction, and the pair were unable to devour the most pastries in the time limit. Across the faire ground, Kasumi unsurprisingly drank his way to victory, earning himself a finely crafted gold goblet ringed with perfectly cut topaz and a small crown maker’s mark inside the bottom rim.
Finding other diversions, the party came upon an odd contest wherein the participants had overripe figs thrown at them. Akash recognized the host Isma’il, the farmer who sold the party their first cargo of figs. Finding great amusement in throwing figs at the party, at Akash in particular, Kasumi soon splattered the walls with fruit. When his turn came, Kasumi continued to have the best day he'd had in a long time, managing to dodge until the other contestants had been hit, and was rewarded with some containers of fruit preserves.
Meanwhile, Nanako ran into the man with the monkey from Pirouz’s race. He was searching for his pet, who had taken its leave, to no avail. Offering to pay Nanako if she could return the runaway pet, the bounty hunter soon found herself running hither and thither around the market in pursuit of the elusive and irreverent beast.
When she attempted to use her newly purchased puppy to assist in tracking the monkey, Nanako soon found herself led straight to a kabob vendor. This, however, did lure the monkey within catching distance, though it did not come easily or quietly. Finally, she returned the wayward animal to its owner and was rewarded with a small purse.
...*...
As the sun set and the day’s challenges gave way to festivities, the party went out to enjoy themselves. Kasumi and Sitara sought out the young man who had nearly beat Kasumi in the warehouse challenge. Finding him outside an inn watching the goings on, Kasumi approached first while Sitara acquired drinks. Learning that the young man’s name was Mehdi, they inquired if he was interested in a more adventurous occupation. Though the young man was rather reticent, he agreed to join the crew, expressing no fear of falling, or of the trials ahead. Upon learning Mehdi did not drink, Kasumi downed what Sitara had bought for him and bid him farewell in a common brotherhood gesture, though the young man did not respond in kind.
Asking around about the man that had bested Kasumi in their contest, the pair discovered the diver Basir partying on the edge of the docks with several friends. After proper introductions and discovering that Kasumi practiced diving as a hobby and was really an accountant, the man listened to Sitara’s invitation to join Viz Leany and their plans for the near future. Respecting her interest in protecting the people of Rhakosis, Basir accepted her offer.
Meanwhile, Mesi and Nanako sought out a quiet drink in an attempt to recuperate from the day’s taxing events. Finding herself accosted by a drunken local, Mesi was…rescued by a well dressed man who promptly flipped the drunk over a table and had him dragged away. The man brought the two women several rounds of drinks, cordially inquiring as to their company for the evening before being politely rebuffed. When asked his name, he simply responded that he was “a friend.”
Nanako, ever in the hunt, inquired if the man had heard of the disappearance of the sage Mahfuz. Replying that he had heard the name but did not know the man, he wished Nanako luck in her search before making his way through other tables with more drinks.
Asking one of the servers about the man, she informed the pair that he was known as Shahzad, who was a regular here, and quite generous. After some time, they saw headed their friend Shahzad head down the street while Nanako and Mesi continued relaxing at the bar.
Akash spent a good part of the evening dancing and enjoying himself. Though there was no shortage of entertaining company, Akash spotted a man acting friendly with several young women before being accosted by another who delivered a sharp slap to his face before before storming off. Deciding to follow the pair, he overheard the couple arguing about the man’s wandering eyes. Satisfied that he was being chastised, Akash returned to the celebrations.
...*...
By evening, after most of the revelers had retired to taverns, Sitara found herself pausing to take a deep breath. Taking a seat outside the restaurant where she was to meet the fire dancer Shadi, Sitara felt someone reaching for her belt. Catching the pickpocket’s wrist, she turned to see a small boy of perhaps six years old, scrawny and ill-dressed.
“Thanking” the child for returning her dropped purse, she offered him a pastry as a matronly woman called out from down the street, chastising young Safi. Releasing the boy, who quickly scampered off, Sitara rose to speak with the woman who identified herself as Sakina, a caretaker of orphans. Oddly, Sakina seemed to recognize Sitara, hugging her deeply after the Captain introduced herself. As Sakina walked away, the puzzled Sitara asked her if she knew her family, to which Sakina replied, “I do now,” before disappearing into the crowd.
Sitara did not have long to ponder this before she caught sight of Shadi, and they entered the Roc’s Bounty. Over delicious food, the pair shared their festival experiences, as well as their backgrounds and current occupations.
When Sitara mentioned their plan to sail through the Entrance to the Sea Lords’ Hall, Shadi couldn’t help but wonder why someone even as confident and adventurous as her would attempt such a risky endeavor. Initially explaining that it would be a test, she warned him the whole story was rather lengthy. His curiosity undeterred, Sitara began with their discovery of the empty Calica, her Ash-Sh’b slipping into an Oami lilt as she recounted the story of their battle and rescue.
She concluded with seeking the Jinn’s judgment in hopes of moving the Council of Captains, before becoming keenly aware of the lull in conversation around them. Just as Shadi was transfixed by her words, she appeared to have also caught the attention of every other diner within earshot. Not wishing to overwhelm her company, she offered him the lighter tale of their visit to Kuga and the young would-be stowaway Cho Yi, which he enjoyed, along with the remaining eavesdroppers.
After dessert, Sitara and Shadi ventured back into the bustling nightlife. Following the music, they joined a group of revelers in a nearby hall and danced long into the night. As the entertainments dwindled in the early hours, Sitara thanked Shadi for the enjoyable evening, gifting her charming dance partner a pair of Oami cuff bracelets she felt would complement his fire dancing. Wishing her good fortune on her ventures, Shadi hoped to see her upon her return to town, and they bid each other a warm farewell.
...*...
Sleeping in the next day, the party began preparations for venturing south with Captain Ataullah to the Entrance to the Sea Lords' Hall. Meanwhile, Akash sought out information on the young swordswoman who had made her appearance during the festival. After hearing back from his sources, he learned a number of conflicting rumors.
Her name was Serrai binte Burhan Shafaq. Her father had married into her mother’s family, though the family’s holdings had burned down shortly after Viz Leany had left port on her maiden voyage. Her father was reportedly killed in the blaze, leaving her an orphan with no family, though she was just of age to take the reins of her family’s affairs. Some said that it was Serrai who had started the fire, though to what end remained unknown. Since then, it appeared the young Serrai had made forays into the underworld, taking over some of the smaller street gangs, and begun to build a force of her own.
He learned from Kasumi’s observations that, as she bore one of their family blades, it was quite possible the young woman had been trained by a member of the Himura family of swordmasters, who were known to occasionally take a foreign student. Further investigation revealed gossip amongst those who had known the family prior to the fire that the man who had married Serrai’s mother was not her actual father. Along with the rumors of mixed heritage came speculation that her father was none other than the man who appeared to be her swordmaster.
On the morning of the 4th, having fully recovered from the festival and made preparations for their journey south, the crew met before daybreak. Sitara gave her new sailors a tour of the ship and related the Tale of Leany, though with somewhat different embellishments than Dasha’s telling. As Kannuki lit incense and prayed at the figurehead, the masts unfurled and Viz Leany made her way out of port.
...*...
Over the course of the next week, Viz Leany sailed south in the company of High Tide and Captain Ataullah. The crew took some time for training, as the new crew members began learning the ropes. Nanako, with help from Mesi and Kannuki, began training her puppy whom she had named Kunio. Kasumi spent some time attempting to learn the art of the sword from Jian. Thara continued learning the sailor trade, Mehdi spent a great deal of time listening to Emrys’ stories, while Basir seemed to strike up a friendship with Vendela. On the 9th, Bassim treated the crew to pastries in honor of his birthday.
Sharing meals with the crew of High Tide, Akash and Nanako shared rather interesting exchanges with Captain Ataullah. While Akash did inquire after his reputation as a Jinn-blood, Ataullah revealed himself to be a very pious individual, though he did not indicate one way or another whether the rumors were true. They spoke at length, with Akash sharing his concerns about the priests of Rhakosis and his interpretations of the Jinn.
Nanako had some concern about her status as a Free Islander on an Ash-Sh’b merchant vessel, as most viewed those from her home as unruly pirates. While Ataullah revealed that his ship had been attacked by corsairs from the Pirate Isles before, he did not seem to hold the same prejudice as some of his sailors.
In the early hours on the morning of the 12th, Sitara took a rowboat to a rocky outcropping along the coast and performed a sword dance, though few of the crew were up early enough to witness it. After she returned, High Tide came alongside and Captain Ataullah declared that they would soon arrive at the Entrance to the Sea Lords' Hall. He affirmed his belief that the ships would pass safely through, the worth of their quest proven true.
A few hours later, the ships found themselves at the rock formation bordering the Entrance. As agreed, High Tide sailed into the enormous whirlpool first in a relatively uneventful passing, the sea calming as the ship traversed the rush of water and safely turned on the other side.
The crew steeled themselves for what lay ahead as Captain Sitara gave a rousing speech from the wheel. When the crew rallied behind her words, their voices reverberated off the cliffs nearby with an unsettling echo.
As Viz Leany made her way into the maelstrom, she seemed to fare well at first. Then, without warning, the crash of water intensified tremendously as rocks began raining into the water around the ship as it passed the cliffs. Rushing towards the center, Viz Leany tilted perilously towards the heart of the vortex, as the crew held white-knuckled onto the rigging and Sitara fought bravely to keep her on course.
Glancing back through the rain of seawater, Sitara noticed Akash seemed to have fallen into a trance. The blue gem about his neck had risen off his chest into the air, the swirls of the stone expanding outside itself. Eyes clouded over, he launched himself onto the rail of the sterncastle. Thrusting out his arms, he seemed to reach up as though holding the rigging firm, though he could not reach the lines. The ship shuddered as though from an impact, before surging forward and upwards, breaking free of the vortex and, finally, into clear water.
Looking back, the turbulence of the whirlpool seemed to calm somehow. After a few moments, everyone released their breath and cheered, celebrating their success. Captain Ataullah congratulated them, though he admitted he had a moment of worry as he had never before seen the maelstrom so violent. The crews took their leisure before setting sail back to Rhakosis.
Continuing down the docks, the party found a warehouse that had been converted into an obstacle course. Mesi decided to take a break, with Sitara, Akash and Kasumi participating against a trio of locals. A series of timers were set, with each contestant being timed in their completion of the course. Kasumi went first, unsurprisingly setting the bar very high with a startlingly quick time. Sitara’s time was comparable to two of the other men who attempted, though everyone agreed that her run was the most stylish. Akash had some difficulty completing the course without the use of his powers, though everyone was very encouraging of his attempt. The last contestant seemed almost certain to beat Kasumi’s time, though when their times were finally compared, Kasumi came out ahead. His prize was a highly stylized statue of a monkey carved from a hard wood with gemstone eyes that seemed to follow one’s movement.
Further out on the piers the party got involved in a diving competition. Several boats bobbed out in the harbor, each having lowered a parcel into the bay. The contestants had to swim out to the boats, dive down and collect one of the packages. The last person to rise to the surface with a package would keep it. Again the trio competed, with Mesi watching from the shore. Two men rose quickly, with one of them not even making it to a parcel. Akash and Sitara surfaced shortly thereafter, leaving Kasumi and another man on the floor of the bay.
The two remained below long after the other contestants gave in, long enough that the moderators kept checking that both divers were still conscious. Eventually, Kasumi emerged just before the other man. Returning to shore, the other man unwrapped a fine pearl necklace. Insisting that Kasumi deserved a prize as well, the host begrudgingly agreed, with Kasumi having recovered a leather necklace of pearls, each one enclosed between shells. Kasumi, thoroughly impressed that someone had beat him, struck up a conversation with the victor, learning that he worked as a diver. Basir, the diver in question, found himself in amazement upon learning that Kasumi was an accountant. With an uncharacteristically cheery farewell, Kazumi set off with Mesi to the next competition.
Deciding they needed to dry off, Mesi and Kasumi held an impromptu foot race with a pair of young men on the dock. Quickly and quite unfairly outpacing the men, Kasumi pulled ahead and reached the agreed upon finish. Recognizing their handy defeat, Kasumi was gifted with a fine flask full of sweet fruit liquor.
...*...
Sitara wandered off in search of other contests. Finding a performance stage, she changed into one of her dancing outfits before submitting herself to the competition. The first contestant was a young woman performing an Ash-Sh’b scarf dance. While she was very skilled, Sitara noticed twice that she seemed to alter her dance when her scarves became entangled. The second dancer was an acrobat who vaulted himself about the stage with a staff, balancing on it rather impressively.
The third performer came forward, a young man holding a length of chain with an open weight on either end. When he struck the weights together, they erupted into flames. Akash, Kasumi, and Mesi arrived from their prior contest just in time to witness his breathtaking fire dance which drew shouts of excitement from the crowd and gasps of worry from the stage manager.
Both inspired and slightly nervous to follow such a performance, Sitara stepped on stage, completely soaked after having doused herself with a bucket of water, and concluded the set with a passionate and turbulent sword dance. Pirouetting in the puddles she left on the stage, she rained droplets upon the spellbound audience with every swish of her hems, every twirl of her blades, every whip of her hair.
When the host called on the crowd to judge, their cheers rose to a peak for both the fire dancer and Sitara. Unable to decide between the two, he declared them both victors, offering them the shared prize of a sunburst shaped pendant with an embossing of a pair of arms raised up. The fire dancer, who introduced himself as Shadi, kindly offered it to Sitara with a proposal of company after the day’s festivities were over.
As the two were celebrating their successes, a steely voice called out from the audience to challenge those watching to a true competition of the blade. Like water around stone, the crowd parted for a young woman endowed with a much more imposing presence than her average stature would suggest, touched with a cool and almost exotic allure.
When Kasumi noticed her hand rested upon the hilt of a beautiful Minzokan katana he was instantly intrigued, and more than a little tempted. Noting that the sword was marked with the Himura family crest, a clan famous for producing highly skilled swordsmen, Kasumi and Akash wondered how she had gotten her hands on such a blade.
Sitara graciously acknowledged that sword dancing and swordplay were indeed different skills, both worthy of the Jinns’ attention, and encouraged the audience to participate in this new competition. Akash and Mesi stepped forward to accept the challenge, along with several others. Looking to the contenders, the young woman asked what the conditions for victory would be. When Akash declared the contest to the yield, she gave a slight but wicked smile, and accepted.
Determining matches by drawing straws, the first was between a young man and a sailor who had stepped up from the crowd. Starting slowly, the sailor outmatched the young man, forcing a submission. The second contest, between the young man’s friend and a guard, ended quickly with the guard knocking the young man on his rump after a series of rapid attacks.
For the third round, Akash and another sailor drew matching straws, to the sailor’s obvious relief. The two continued as the previous competitors had, exchanging several stinging blows, but inflicting no real damage. In the end, Akash was able to get the best of his opponent, drawing a good-natured submission from the sailor.
For the fourth match, Mesi and the woman with the katana faced off. Eyeing each other up, Mesi approached with her sword drawn, although the young woman left her sword sheathed. Mesi struck the first blow, a stinging rap to the woman’s arm, to which she responded with a lightning draw and strike, slicing Mesi across the chest and drawing blood. Realizing this swordswoman did not intend to pull her blows, the pair continued the match in earnest. Eventually, Mesi was able to gain the upper hand, narrowly avoiding the woman’s blows while delivering her own.
Seeing the young woman pushing herself through her wounds, Mesi declared that she did not wish to continue the contest. When the swordswoman called on Mesi to submit, she refused, and the pair carried on fighting until the woman was barely standing. Despite this, it seemed she intended to press on when a voice called out from the audience. A plainly dressed Minzokan man came forward from the crowd and took the stage. With a look from the young woman, he seemed to recognize that the contest need continue, gave a nod, and stepped back.
Mesi, not wishing to accidentally kill the young woman, withdrew from the fight. The guard and sailor, having seen the intensity of the swordswoman's focus, withdrew as well, leaving Akash to face her.
Watching from the side, Sitara seemed to relax after Mesi’s forfeit, though not for long, her brow furrowing as Akash stepped forward. The spectators exchanged nervous looks, all sharing the same question: What would it take for her to stand down?
He approached the bloodied young woman, inquiring what would stop her, other than death. Holding her wounds with a grimace, she declared, in a manner that seemed more a solemn vow than a simple answer, that only death would stop her. At that, Akash dropped his blade and took to the sky, revealing himself as a Jinn-blood.
Proclaiming that she embodied some, but not all, of the virtues of her blade, Akash pitied the young woman before attempting to blast her off the stage with a gust of wind. She braced herself, driving her sword into the stage, but nearly succumbed to the gust until the Minzokan man and Sitara stepped in to support her. Sitara murmured something to the barely conscious swordswoman, and the Minzokan man gave Sitara his thanks, before taking his charge away.
Akash, admitting that he had violated the spirit of the challenge, declared Mesi the victor of the contest. Aghast at what had transpired, no one dared dispute the outcome. As the crowd dispersed, Mesi’s companions took her to the nearest medic to see to her wounds.
...*...
Opting to take a rest from more physical exertions, the party made their way to the Purple Lantern where they walked in on an informal concert. Sitara recited a delphic poem which was well received, about intimacy which ebbed and flowed as the tides, about a love like the sea, sometime wild, sometime halcyon...or perhaps this love was the sea. The young woman whom they often saw performing at the Purple Lantern sang about lost loves, softening even the hardest hearts in the audience and drawing a tear to every eye.
As they made their way towards the Bazaar, the party happened upon a pet race sponsored by Pirouz’ Menagerie. Realizing Kannuki was entering his new pet, the party stayed to watch the show. Though Kannuki’s pet was far from the quickest, it totally ignored the monkey contestant, which escaped its channel and proceeded to distract the other participating animals. Upon the beast’s completion of its obstacle course, Kannuki was rewarded with matching vests for himself and his pet. Pirouz offered to have Kannuki’s retailored, as it was made assuming someone of a more average stature. Afterwards, Nanako bought a puppy from Pirouz to raise for herding livestock on her farm.
Deciding to host a contest of her own, Sitara had arranged for several rafts to be strung loosely together in the harbor. Any and all were invited to try their hand at sparring with sticks atop the rafts—the victor would be the last one still dry. As a demonstration, Sitara crossed reeds with Jian, unexpectedly dunking the Master at Arms in the harbor. Several bouts followed, with Akash “sparring” a young child and gallantly allowing himself to be dunked. Kasumi also took a turn with Sitara, though he found himself outmatched by the Captain’s sea legs and likewise ended up in the harbor.
Making their way to one of the open performance grounds, the party decided to join a large eating and drinking contest hosted by the Gulbahar Winery. While Akash and Kasumi downed cup after cup of fine liquor, Mesi and Sitara took their turn at devouring pastries. Though they made a strong showing, Mesi’s wounds were too much of a distraction, and the pair were unable to devour the most pastries in the time limit. Across the faire ground, Kasumi unsurprisingly drank his way to victory, earning himself a finely crafted gold goblet ringed with perfectly cut topaz and a small crown maker’s mark inside the bottom rim.
Finding other diversions, the party came upon an odd contest wherein the participants had overripe figs thrown at them. Akash recognized the host Isma’il, the farmer who sold the party their first cargo of figs. Finding great amusement in throwing figs at the party, at Akash in particular, Kasumi soon splattered the walls with fruit. When his turn came, Kasumi continued to have the best day he'd had in a long time, managing to dodge until the other contestants had been hit, and was rewarded with some containers of fruit preserves.
Meanwhile, Nanako ran into the man with the monkey from Pirouz’s race. He was searching for his pet, who had taken its leave, to no avail. Offering to pay Nanako if she could return the runaway pet, the bounty hunter soon found herself running hither and thither around the market in pursuit of the elusive and irreverent beast.
When she attempted to use her newly purchased puppy to assist in tracking the monkey, Nanako soon found herself led straight to a kabob vendor. This, however, did lure the monkey within catching distance, though it did not come easily or quietly. Finally, she returned the wayward animal to its owner and was rewarded with a small purse.
...*...
As the sun set and the day’s challenges gave way to festivities, the party went out to enjoy themselves. Kasumi and Sitara sought out the young man who had nearly beat Kasumi in the warehouse challenge. Finding him outside an inn watching the goings on, Kasumi approached first while Sitara acquired drinks. Learning that the young man’s name was Mehdi, they inquired if he was interested in a more adventurous occupation. Though the young man was rather reticent, he agreed to join the crew, expressing no fear of falling, or of the trials ahead. Upon learning Mehdi did not drink, Kasumi downed what Sitara had bought for him and bid him farewell in a common brotherhood gesture, though the young man did not respond in kind.
Asking around about the man that had bested Kasumi in their contest, the pair discovered the diver Basir partying on the edge of the docks with several friends. After proper introductions and discovering that Kasumi practiced diving as a hobby and was really an accountant, the man listened to Sitara’s invitation to join Viz Leany and their plans for the near future. Respecting her interest in protecting the people of Rhakosis, Basir accepted her offer.
Meanwhile, Mesi and Nanako sought out a quiet drink in an attempt to recuperate from the day’s taxing events. Finding herself accosted by a drunken local, Mesi was…rescued by a well dressed man who promptly flipped the drunk over a table and had him dragged away. The man brought the two women several rounds of drinks, cordially inquiring as to their company for the evening before being politely rebuffed. When asked his name, he simply responded that he was “a friend.”
Nanako, ever in the hunt, inquired if the man had heard of the disappearance of the sage Mahfuz. Replying that he had heard the name but did not know the man, he wished Nanako luck in her search before making his way through other tables with more drinks.
Asking one of the servers about the man, she informed the pair that he was known as Shahzad, who was a regular here, and quite generous. After some time, they saw headed their friend Shahzad head down the street while Nanako and Mesi continued relaxing at the bar.
Akash spent a good part of the evening dancing and enjoying himself. Though there was no shortage of entertaining company, Akash spotted a man acting friendly with several young women before being accosted by another who delivered a sharp slap to his face before before storming off. Deciding to follow the pair, he overheard the couple arguing about the man’s wandering eyes. Satisfied that he was being chastised, Akash returned to the celebrations.
...*...
By evening, after most of the revelers had retired to taverns, Sitara found herself pausing to take a deep breath. Taking a seat outside the restaurant where she was to meet the fire dancer Shadi, Sitara felt someone reaching for her belt. Catching the pickpocket’s wrist, she turned to see a small boy of perhaps six years old, scrawny and ill-dressed.
“Thanking” the child for returning her dropped purse, she offered him a pastry as a matronly woman called out from down the street, chastising young Safi. Releasing the boy, who quickly scampered off, Sitara rose to speak with the woman who identified herself as Sakina, a caretaker of orphans. Oddly, Sakina seemed to recognize Sitara, hugging her deeply after the Captain introduced herself. As Sakina walked away, the puzzled Sitara asked her if she knew her family, to which Sakina replied, “I do now,” before disappearing into the crowd.
Sitara did not have long to ponder this before she caught sight of Shadi, and they entered the Roc’s Bounty. Over delicious food, the pair shared their festival experiences, as well as their backgrounds and current occupations.
When Sitara mentioned their plan to sail through the Entrance to the Sea Lords’ Hall, Shadi couldn’t help but wonder why someone even as confident and adventurous as her would attempt such a risky endeavor. Initially explaining that it would be a test, she warned him the whole story was rather lengthy. His curiosity undeterred, Sitara began with their discovery of the empty Calica, her Ash-Sh’b slipping into an Oami lilt as she recounted the story of their battle and rescue.
She concluded with seeking the Jinn’s judgment in hopes of moving the Council of Captains, before becoming keenly aware of the lull in conversation around them. Just as Shadi was transfixed by her words, she appeared to have also caught the attention of every other diner within earshot. Not wishing to overwhelm her company, she offered him the lighter tale of their visit to Kuga and the young would-be stowaway Cho Yi, which he enjoyed, along with the remaining eavesdroppers.
After dessert, Sitara and Shadi ventured back into the bustling nightlife. Following the music, they joined a group of revelers in a nearby hall and danced long into the night. As the entertainments dwindled in the early hours, Sitara thanked Shadi for the enjoyable evening, gifting her charming dance partner a pair of Oami cuff bracelets she felt would complement his fire dancing. Wishing her good fortune on her ventures, Shadi hoped to see her upon her return to town, and they bid each other a warm farewell.
...*...
Sleeping in the next day, the party began preparations for venturing south with Captain Ataullah to the Entrance to the Sea Lords' Hall. Meanwhile, Akash sought out information on the young swordswoman who had made her appearance during the festival. After hearing back from his sources, he learned a number of conflicting rumors.
Her name was Serrai binte Burhan Shafaq. Her father had married into her mother’s family, though the family’s holdings had burned down shortly after Viz Leany had left port on her maiden voyage. Her father was reportedly killed in the blaze, leaving her an orphan with no family, though she was just of age to take the reins of her family’s affairs. Some said that it was Serrai who had started the fire, though to what end remained unknown. Since then, it appeared the young Serrai had made forays into the underworld, taking over some of the smaller street gangs, and begun to build a force of her own.
He learned from Kasumi’s observations that, as she bore one of their family blades, it was quite possible the young woman had been trained by a member of the Himura family of swordmasters, who were known to occasionally take a foreign student. Further investigation revealed gossip amongst those who had known the family prior to the fire that the man who had married Serrai’s mother was not her actual father. Along with the rumors of mixed heritage came speculation that her father was none other than the man who appeared to be her swordmaster.
On the morning of the 4th, having fully recovered from the festival and made preparations for their journey south, the crew met before daybreak. Sitara gave her new sailors a tour of the ship and related the Tale of Leany, though with somewhat different embellishments than Dasha’s telling. As Kannuki lit incense and prayed at the figurehead, the masts unfurled and Viz Leany made her way out of port.
...*...
Over the course of the next week, Viz Leany sailed south in the company of High Tide and Captain Ataullah. The crew took some time for training, as the new crew members began learning the ropes. Nanako, with help from Mesi and Kannuki, began training her puppy whom she had named Kunio. Kasumi spent some time attempting to learn the art of the sword from Jian. Thara continued learning the sailor trade, Mehdi spent a great deal of time listening to Emrys’ stories, while Basir seemed to strike up a friendship with Vendela. On the 9th, Bassim treated the crew to pastries in honor of his birthday.
Sharing meals with the crew of High Tide, Akash and Nanako shared rather interesting exchanges with Captain Ataullah. While Akash did inquire after his reputation as a Jinn-blood, Ataullah revealed himself to be a very pious individual, though he did not indicate one way or another whether the rumors were true. They spoke at length, with Akash sharing his concerns about the priests of Rhakosis and his interpretations of the Jinn.
Nanako had some concern about her status as a Free Islander on an Ash-Sh’b merchant vessel, as most viewed those from her home as unruly pirates. While Ataullah revealed that his ship had been attacked by corsairs from the Pirate Isles before, he did not seem to hold the same prejudice as some of his sailors.
In the early hours on the morning of the 12th, Sitara took a rowboat to a rocky outcropping along the coast and performed a sword dance, though few of the crew were up early enough to witness it. After she returned, High Tide came alongside and Captain Ataullah declared that they would soon arrive at the Entrance to the Sea Lords' Hall. He affirmed his belief that the ships would pass safely through, the worth of their quest proven true.
A few hours later, the ships found themselves at the rock formation bordering the Entrance. As agreed, High Tide sailed into the enormous whirlpool first in a relatively uneventful passing, the sea calming as the ship traversed the rush of water and safely turned on the other side.
The crew steeled themselves for what lay ahead as Captain Sitara gave a rousing speech from the wheel. When the crew rallied behind her words, their voices reverberated off the cliffs nearby with an unsettling echo.
As Viz Leany made her way into the maelstrom, she seemed to fare well at first. Then, without warning, the crash of water intensified tremendously as rocks began raining into the water around the ship as it passed the cliffs. Rushing towards the center, Viz Leany tilted perilously towards the heart of the vortex, as the crew held white-knuckled onto the rigging and Sitara fought bravely to keep her on course.
Glancing back through the rain of seawater, Sitara noticed Akash seemed to have fallen into a trance. The blue gem about his neck had risen off his chest into the air, the swirls of the stone expanding outside itself. Eyes clouded over, he launched himself onto the rail of the sterncastle. Thrusting out his arms, he seemed to reach up as though holding the rigging firm, though he could not reach the lines. The ship shuddered as though from an impact, before surging forward and upwards, breaking free of the vortex and, finally, into clear water.
Looking back, the turbulence of the whirlpool seemed to calm somehow. After a few moments, everyone released their breath and cheered, celebrating their success. Captain Ataullah congratulated them, though he admitted he had a moment of worry as he had never before seen the maelstrom so violent. The crews took their leisure before setting sail back to Rhakosis.