Apocalypse Part of Speech: Noun Definition: Mass Destruction An Apocalypse (Greek: "Lifting of the veil" or "Revelation") is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. The veil to be lifted. 

Ashes to Ashes 

Chapter 1 Before the Lift 

There had been signs. Some thought the signs were just natural order to the world climate, to world change that had happened before millennia ago. People of religion bespoke of the coming Apocalypse, and Rapture, preparing themselves for the return of the prophets, the return of Christ... the return of ... something. There were even a few who could read the signs clearly, but were thought upon as heretics, charlatans, doom-sayers, and on the most part ignored. 

 They were all fools, Ashe told herself. They pointed to calendars, thumped bibles, stood on street corners and foretold of doom, the end of the world. She watched them on television rarely, but every so often she would be accosted by someone on the street corner in the good-sized city of Rapid City, South Dakota, and told that the end was near. She merely walked past them, smiling and nodding her head to shut them up. She thought that they, too, were fools, and idiots. So many had predicted the Y2K bug, and how it would devastate the world by making all computers freeze up or stop working altogether, or of Nuclear war that would set the world into a post-apocalyptic state, where everyone was out for themselves. None of this had come to be in all the years of predictions and prophesy. It would never be. This was reality. 

Ashe was a veterinarian in an area where vets were revered for their knowledge on health of animals, however, her jobs were becoming fewer and further between. She saw the farms in the area dying out, being replaced with cattle feedlots, chicken farms, hog farms, and larger, genetically engineered food corporations. She tried to keep up with the latest in medicines, and animal husbandry, but it meant returning back to school to learn more, and leaving her patients behind. It was a catch 22 situation for her and her small business. 

 She watched as family after family in the rural South Dakotan area left their farms, and moved into town where they thought they would have a better life, better jobs, better pay so they could send their children to better schools. However, she also saw more people come to the wide open space of the mid-west from hurricane-torn southern and eastern coasts, to find reprieve from the hardship there. Ashe actually had come from a large city, San Francisco, with a Degree in veterinarian medicine and an idea that life would be easier for her away from all of the noise, congestion, all-around bad feeling that the city had given her as she had grown up. 

Now she missed her old home, and her parents. She saw them once a year. Every Christmas, she would go home to see them, and her old friends. It was coming close to that time again this year. She was excited to be on her way in her truck, to drive alone the fourteen hundred miles to her home north of San Fran, with only her music, her books, and her excitement to carry her the length of the way. She had already bought them nearly a half of a buffalo in meat, and a whole skin for her father. They loved the gifts she would bring that spoke of her time in the 'wild west'. She was also pleased with the gifts from them that emphasized the life of California. Bathing suits, sun block, movie posters were normally what she received from them, and that nostalgia was one reason why she kept going back. 

Her Grandfather had come from Wyoming, and that was one reason why she chose to visit the vast prairies of the mid-western states. He would tell her stories of free ranges, horses, cows and the ever popular Cowboys and Indians. She had been smitten with the idea of life in a wild country, to take care of animals, big and small. So she worked hard to learn all she could in science, math, and literature. She was the top of her class in almost all subjects, and had earned scholarships to veterinarian collages, making her parents and grandfather very happy. However, when she told them of her plans to move to South Dakota, at the age of nineteen, they were all very upset, but her arguements couldn't be denied. 

She remembered all of that as she made her way to her truck, a large dual wheeled work vehicle that held all the equipment needed to perform her duties as a Vet, medicines and hardware ranging from scalpals to forceps, hypodermics to bandages. She had been adding to the truck with every paycheck. There were spare wheels, chains for poor road conditions and large insulated containers that would keep medicines cold, or warm, depending on how they were needed. She had done well for herself and it showed in her equipment. She was ready for nearly anything. 

 Her call that day, a week before Christmas, was to a farmer just inside the reservation's boarders, who had trouble with livestock that had run through fenses, and even a milk cow that had been shot by a poacher. She made the nearly hour drive with music playing, going over each detail in her mind, and coming up with a first plan. Sometimes it was as easy as a first plan, but she knew better than to go in without multiple plans for different situations. 

Her tastes in music leaned toward classical, but on occasion, she would find another song or two that would move her. She listened to that on the way. A techno-type beat with a nearly operatic voice that told a story in four different languages. Half of them she knew. She smiled as she drove, happy the roads were clear. 

She could tell when the roads of South Dakota switched with the unkempt pavement of the Pine Ridge Reservation. Large cracks lined the shoulders, as well as tufts of wild grasses reached over the black road as if to drag it back into the wild prairie. The ground that stretched out into the Badlands was frosted white with a dull brown tint. They weren't called the Badlands for nothing. She knew different stories of how bodies could be disposed of in the Badlands, and when tourists went missing every year. She thought by now people would know better than to tempt the wilderness that was the Black Hills and Badlands. 

The road to the Two Crows farm was rough, off the highway, and ruts were frozen over, making her wince every time she hit one. The cold of this winter was unprecidented, and of course, conspiracy theories abounded about the global warming, the apocalypse, all kinds of things. Ashe just knew that it was damn cold, and the multiple layers of clothing she wore did very little to cut the bitterness from the wind when she would step out into it. She drove carefully, the heater blowing in her face, and music piping softly from her radio. As she drove, she spotted a pair of scruffy dogs trotted on the shoulder. 

 They were all black, ribs showing, and ears stood taller than normal dog's ears did. As she drove by, they looked up at her in unison, eyes milky white, as if blind, but they seemed to look right at her, knowing who she was. She shuddered and continued to drive. When she looked in her rear view mirror, they were no longer on the shoulder of the road, perhaps they had run to the ditch. 

When she finally pulled into Roger's driveway, it seemed as if he was already in the small barn. Roger Two Crows had a good sized family living in a house that was but a pair of trailer homes hooked together by a flimsy plywood passageway. He had six children, his wife and her mother, plus her grandfather living there. His own grandmother stayed with him as well, and all lived in the equivelant of a four bedroom house. The barn itself, was another hobbled together contraption of plywood, sod and bales of straw. She was surprised that any of his livestock lived here, but it wasn't her place to complain, just to treat the injured, and make the best of it. 

All of his animals had shelter, but it was barely any better than what his family lived in. Roger had a pair of milk cows, a bull and four horses. He'd had a small flock of chickens, but the coyotes had wiped them out when winter hit. Ashe tried hard to treat his animals any time he called her with the least expense. She even stitched up his oldest daughter's hand once when she had been careless while butchering a deer. The girl would have a scar all her life, but it didn't hamper her mood or her work. Plus, she would never make the same mistake twice. 

Ashe parked next to the barn, and tightened the hat down upon her head. It was a funny looking hat, yellow and orange with a tassle top and tassle ties. It had been a gift from a woman who had Ashe look at her dog after it had been kicked by a horse. Ashe had recieved a lot of really nice things in place of payment for her services. It was a very warm hat, made of wool, and well made, even though it was oddly colored. She smiled and tied the hat securely, then exited the truck. 

She was only five foot three, very short, and unfortunately, not petite. With the wearing of all her layers of coats and longjohns, she looked like a little Micheline Man. She'd always had a hard time as a kid growing up, always a chubby monkey, her mother would say, but she did the best she could to ignore the cruel taunts of the other kids. The hat covered her mop of curley brown hair, always so hard for her to keep in line, but it wasn't anything a good hat couldn't keep down. She sighed as she caught sight of her face in the side mirror. Just do the job, Ashe, you can mope later about stupid stuff, she thought to herself and closed the door. 

 The door slid open to the shed, and Roger stepped out, leading the two horses into the better light. Ashe looked over at them and gasped. "Holy Hell, Roger! Did they go through a meat grinder?" she had never seen such horrific cuts on horses. The slices and tears were clear across their chests and down their right sides. Barbed wire was a nasty thing to have any animal run through. There were even flaps of skin hanging loose from the ribs and partially on their bellies. 

 "Damn military helicopters flew low. " Roger said, his heavy Sioux accent clipping angrily as he remembered the day before. "It spooked the mares here. The kids had Buck and Kit down the road and saw it happen." he tied the pair to the corral posts. 

Roger was angry that since he was on the reservation, complaining about the helicopters really wouldn't do anything. But since he'd met Dr. Dubhcott, he knew that no matter how bad a horse's cuts were, she could help him. His friends teased him at work about the Washishu, the white veterinarian that was on his speed dial on his phone. He just waved them off, "She's been good. If she were Lakota, she would be a medicine woman." he grinned to himself about that. He didn't care if she had a little padding on her, hell, a lot of the more attractive women in the area were the ones with a few curves. His wife didn't feel any competition, however, she liked the little, plump vet as well. 

"Let's see what I can do with these mares." Ashe said and went to work on them, cleaning the wounds, and stitching the skin where it seemed that it could grow back together. She gave them antibiotics, vitamins, and a sugar cube. She took off her gloves and tossed them into the back of the truck, "There ya go, Roger. Now, let's take a look at the cow." she motioned to the barn, and helped him lead the horses back inside. She was thankful for the cold, it kept the horses from bleeding too much, making her job much easier. 

There was a Holstein cow standing in a corner, the other animals stood away from her, and her heavy wheezing. Her head was down, and there was a gaping wound in her chest. 

"Oh God, Roger... why didn't you call me when you found her??" She hurriedly made her way to the poor animal's side, treatments scrolling through her mind like a rolodex, but this may be too much, even for her expertise. She may need to operate, and not even that would guarantee the life of the animal. 

"I called the cops on the kids that were shooting up the place. They were arrested, and it was late. I thought that if she was still alive this morning, I would call you, see if you could do anything to help her. She's the kid's favorite, too. " he reached over and petted the animal's head, and she didn't react to the touch. 

"It may be too late, Roger. I'll see what I can do, though." She said softly, and made her way to look more closely at the bullet hole. It dripped blood, but the cow's wheezing wasn't a hopeful sign. She listened to the chest, where the normal thum-thud of a heartbeat normally was, there was a whoosh...whoosh. Also, when she breathed, it was a heavy gurgle in her lungs. Ashe closed her eyes, "I'll have to put her down, Roger. I can't get her to a clinic to operate. If I did it here, she'll bleed out." 

Roger nodded, and wiped at the corner of one eye, "I'll get the kids ready to butcher. We can save the meat at least." he sighed in resignation, and made his way to the house. Ashe sighed as well, and stroked the cow's forehead. 

"I wish I could take you quicker, cow. You served this family so well." She whispered to her. The cow bobbed her head, ears twitching a bit. Ashe patted her shoulder, and stepped back as the cow seemed to understand, and went down to her knees, then layed dow fully, head resting on the blood-soaked hay. Ashe watched as the cow took one last wheezing breath, and died. 

She felt the sadness well in her heart, and tears dripped from her eyes. It always broke her heart to see a beloved animal go, and especially in this manner. 

 Roger returned carrying his hunting riffle, and the two oldest children followed close behind. They carried rope, knives and a pair of bone saws. They saw her kneeling by the cow, and the girl started to cry. Roger made his way to Ashe, and sighed, "She went quicker than I thought. Did you give her a shot to do it?" he asked. 

"No, she just layed down and died. Let's get her outside to finish the job." she said softly. 

The children tied the legs of the cow, and tossed the rope outside to pull the corspe from the shed. Ashe went to her truck, and backed up to the door as Roger tied off the rope. She towed the carcass out into the driveway. She looked out toward the road, and there were the two dogs, sitting there, staring at her once again. She scowled and closed her eyes, the fatigue of a heavy heart seeming to get to her. She opened her eyes, and the dogs were gone. 

As the Two Crows family butchered the cow, Ashe went into the stall to muck out the bloody hay and sod. When she went inside, there were the two dogs, lapping at the blood on the floor, and chewing on the hay, as if to get every bit. She picked up a pitchfork, and shouted at them, "Get out! Out of here, you mutts!" she waved the pitchfork at them, and they looked up at her. Their ears were perked up, and the milky white eyes stared. They didn't growl, or bark, and Ashe felt a chill run down her back. 

"You ok in there?" came Roger's voice. She turned to the door, and answered 

"Yeah, there's two dogs in here" she said, then looked back at the dogs. They were gone. As if they were never there. Roger walked in, carrying the rifle once more. "What dogs?" he looked around. The animals in the barn didn't seem upset, or spooked in any way, and that made Ashe frown. 

"Nevermind. How are they taking it?" she asked, looking out the door. 

"They are very sad, but know that what lives must die. We will mourn a friend that was a pet, as well as provider to the family, but she was able to provide one last time. Her meat will feed us this winter, and her hide will keep the elders warm. We are thankful for you coming, Dr. Dubhcott." he held his hand to her, which she shook gently. "Send us a bill, you will get your money." he said with resignation. 

"I'll see what I can do for you, Roger. Let me know if those mares need any more help. I don't have any appointments week after next, so I'll be handy by the time they may need it. Alright?" she smiled weakly at him. He nodded, and both left the shed, closing it behind them. 

The children had made quick work of the cow, piling the pieces up in an orderly fashion, on tarps and in buckets. They looked up at her with large, sad eyes, but smiled at her nonetheless. 

"Thank you for saving Rose and Sandy, Dr. Dubhcott." the young woman said, "We know they will heal fast." Her brother merely nodded and went back to butchering. 

She left quietly, heaving a sad sigh as she left the little farm. What was the world coming to? She thought to herself. Then she saw the dogs again, trotting down the road in the same direction she was driving. And these dogs! What the hell are they? She asked herself, pulling up behind them in her truck, and pulling to a stop. The dogs stopped as well, and turned in unison. This creeped her right the hell out. They walked to the front of her truck, and sat, staring at her, unblinking, with those milky white eyes. 

She didn't exit the truck, and in fact, pulled a small handgun from her glovebox, as well as a tranquilizer dart she stored close to it. The dogs just tilted their heads, and seemed to wait, watching, wondering what the human would do next. 

She would show them what she would do next. She rolled down her window, and took slow aim at the closer one, and cocked back the trigger. What happened next, she never quite understood until many many years later. 

"My name is Death, and the end is here." a voice that seemed to come from the radio, but she hadn't turned it on. 

Then the dogs vanished. She looked back and forth, behind the truck and around the sides. Nothing. 

"Holy fuck." she whispered, and rolled up her window. She tore out of her parking spot, and sped for the city. "It must be the cold... and the stress." She tried to tell herself, but damn... the Dogs!? What the hell was that?? Her hair felt like it was standing strait on end, the curls felt as if they lost all springiness, and she looked multiple times in her mirror to see if her hair hadn't gone stark white. She didn't scare easy, but this day... this day scared the bajeebus out of her. 

She drove through town, the clouds obscuring the houses on the hills, soft flakes floating down on the wind. She pulled into a Perkins Parking lot, and turned off the engine. She sat for a few moments, taking deep, even breaths. She shook her head and patted one cheek sharply, then exited, making her way to the restaurant. Coffee and pie sounded like a good thing right now. 

The waitress led her to a side booth, looking out of the big bay windows at the ensuing storm as the wind picked up. There were few others in the restaurant, a few college kids on the now defunct smoking side, reading books, chatting, drinking coffee, and a couple on the opposite side of the room from Ashe, enjoying coffee and pie as well. Across from her was a small family, mother, father and young son, eating and laughing, the child only about 3 years old, giggling and waving french fries in the air. She smiled and placed her order for coffee and apple pie. 

The storm brewed on outside, mixing snow with rain now, which froze to the windows as soon as it hit. Noone seemed to want to leave the restaurant, the cold was more than enough to deter them from making their way to their cars and trucks. Ashe sighed as she finished her third cup of coffee, and picked up the ticket. She didn't want to leave, but she had to get home, feed her dog, and make sure the water wasn't frozen in the small house pipes. 

She smiled and nodded to the family who watched her go to the front of the resteraunt where she began to check out. She began to feel dizzy, and a wave of nausia tore through her gut. She doubled over as the waitress approached to collect her payment, then all went black. 

II The Veil is Lifted 

Ashe's eyes fluttered open when she heard the bleep bleep bleep of the EKG, realizing she was in a hospital bed, not in the Perkins on 8th Street, where she had been. She looked around slowly, the light in the room odd, and the clarity of the objects was much sharper than she thought she had seen before. She must have left her contacts in, she thought, and slowly touched at her eyes to see if they were in place. 

She froze when she saw someone else's hand come toward her face, as if they knew she wanted to touch her eyes. She shirked away from the rising hand, even going to bat at it with the other. She made a soft eep when she saw someone else's hand smack away the first hand, feeling a sharp pain as they collided. 

"What the fuck?" she whispered and raised both hands in front of her face, seeing that they were definitely her hands, but, they weren't. They weren't the pudgy, ruddy fingers with gnawed nails, but long and elegant. Her fingers splayed out in front of her, curling and uncurling. The skin was a nearly translucent pale with matching pale nails which looked as if they had just had a painstaking manicure. 

She touched at her face, and blinked, feeling high cheekbones, nearly sunken cheeks, and a long chin with a wide, full-lipped mouth. Her hands went to her hair, no curls, but strait, thick... and as she pulled a tendril to her line of sight, as white as platinum freshly polished. 

Her ears felt long and pointed and poked out of the hair almost two inches. The hair, smooth as silk, fell through her fingers. She crawled out from under her blankets, a need to find a mirror scratching at her mind like a cat in box, anxiety flooding her head. 

The needles in her arms were painfully tugging at the skin and digging into the flesh beneath, so she removed them as expertly as she could, considering they were not in someone's beloved pet, but her own arms. She let the tubes fall to the floor, where her feet landed soon after. 

She sat for a moment, then stood, weaving back and forth, catching herself on a rail to keep from tipping over. Her eyes traveled around the room, until they fell on the sink in the corner, above that, a mirror. 

Ashe Screamed

Short, Sweet, to the Point, OR: A Trident for a Boon

 Jasmine winged over the sleeping village from over the choppy waves. Once near her Land Quarters, she slipped down into the shadows, shifting smoothly, effortlessly, into her Drow Aspect. When she entered, she began to scrounge through the books and scrolls for something in particular. When she couldn’t find it, she went to the Tavern, meeting up with O’thar and Barrett, and soon after, Jhilsara. They chatted for a little bit, but then Jhilsara asked for a special favor. 

The food that Jasmine had ordered, she asked to be sent to her Land Quarters, for later consumption, and followed Jhilsara to the Viking Docks. There, she was asked a favor, but the cost could be steep. A special gift for someone in the Claw? Jasmine was right on that. She whispered to her shadows, to Smitty, “Turn the Maid about, come back to Claw’s Port. We have work to do. Have the Mers fetch a Trident. Have the Sorcerers start to enchant with what they have, these special things. And when the ship arrives at port, I will take a look at what is available for permanently enchanting the damn thing.”

She looked to Jhilsara, “We are on the job. You just let me know if there is more I can do. The Briny Maid is at your disposal. All I ask is you take care of my Cat. And don’t give Galen grief, unless it is all in fun.” She added as an afterthought, “He’s good people, and the Cat is one of the few I would trust with my own life.”  

Once the pieces were in motion, she went back to her Land Quarters, and began to read up on spells, components and the like. Once she finishes there, she steps out into the night, looking for a good place to hunt. Her dinner that was sent home to her Land Quarters, just didn’t take the edge off her hunger. 

Loss for one, Gain for another, or, How Imi got a Third Leg

Jasmine strode to the infirmary/library on the direction of local NPCs. She looked through the door, assessing the situation inside.

Jaku just scoffed at Imi's words as he looked to the side, eying the one she was questioning about through the door. Soon after, he would be grumbling something in giant as he looked for somewhere to sit. "Mmm..." he mumbled as he heard Alex begin to speak. Now that he seemed able, he would just watch over him the best he could.

ImiYem would see Jaku ignore her questions and she would purse her lip.  At that very moment she sees the dark female looking through the window and would slip to the door, opening it slightly "Do you know anything about this crime?"  she asks, not opening the door fully, just standing in it, staring out at Jasmine.

Alex shakes his head "You are doing quite wonderfully so far... I think...She put a hole in one of my lungs...I am still aching throughout... if my knee is anything to go by... I am unsure of how to proceed.... Most of my body is rotten or corrupted by her... She... was keeping me alive. Without that, i am unsure Mundane work like we do is a possible fix... Ive taken the wounds of so many patients over the years..." He looks to Imi, attempting to sit up. "Alex... You and i met by the gate... am i misremembering...?" Alex holds his head, it surely felt he was having problems. He tilts his head to the side "She saved my sorry ass, a welcome friend miss." He weakly shouts.

Jasmine took a small step back, allowing Imi to exit, and question her, "Crime?" she asks, "I see an injured man, being brought to a healer." She tilted her head, "After the injury in question was kept from being an outright murder... so yes, I guess I am aware of this ... incident." her voice was low, calm, monotone, her face stoic.. However, she looked neatly pressed, clean, hair still slightly damp... as if she scrubbed the shit out of herself after that...exorcism as it were...if it could be called that. She then heard Alex call weakly from within, and looked back to Imi, giving her a small shrug

Jaku yelled out "AYE!" at the last bit of what Alex said. He'd quickly go back to grumbling expletives in giant as he crossed his arms and laid back on the wall behind him...

ImiYem heard Alex, which surprised her for she really didnt recognize him as the crippled male, she would turn and open the door, gesturing for Jasmine to enter freely, but not speaking. for she is sure she could judge for herself what is going on...

Galen Would attempt to open his channel to the fates again and attempt to channel his fate energy through his hands  in attempt to heal the shadow energy to counteract it with his fate energy breathing deeply attempting to keep the connection open until he would begin to lose strength himself

Jasmine stepped inside, and looked to Galen, "Galen." She addressed him quietly, "Nice to see you here. Think you can get this? Or should I dig around the hold for some... assistance?" she glanced around the room, looking then to Jaku as he cursed under his breath. She then rested her eyes on Alexander, "I don't believe we properly met, and before you die, IF you do, I am Jasmine, Captain of the Briny Maid. We're at port past the docks of the Claw's territory." she looked to Jaku and nodded, "Well met, to you too, Goliath."

"Do not push yourself, please. its alright... you" Alexander stated, then coughs and spits a bit more blood. "Brought me back from the brink... enough for now anyways. I am not looking forward to the infection that is coming." Alex looks down. He gently pokes at one of the very dead eyeballs by his knee. He flicks it and... doesn't flinch! He looks up to Jasmine "Alexander... seems i am not gone yet. so at least i have a chance to thank you." 

 ImiYem would now just observe.  Listening and trying to figure out what will appear in her final report.

Galen exclaimed "Jasmine! Get in here and explain exactly what happened! and please cooperate with the guard I do not need you getting yourself arrested and yest it's me Galen." His tone was both annoyed and yet tinged with affection.

With those words from Alex, Jaku would cross his arms and got comfortable in the seat as his eyes started to close..

Jasmine nodded to Alexander, and tilted her head, "A good dip in some sea water could eat out infections... but sometimes, that's not the best idea." she curled a bit of a grin. "I fully have NO Intention of being arrested for helping save someone's life." She slid her eyes over to the Elf, the smirk still not leaving her lips, "I am sure this guard is wise enough to hear the whole story, from witnesses...however, one of which, I am not going to bring out to see the light of day any time soon."

ImiYem watched the interaction between the priest and the ships captain. her eyes go to Jasmine, just listening now, but clearly taking notes.

Galen turns back to the patient and checking their vitals  looking for anything else that needs healed his hands would stop glowing for the moment as he took a couple of breath

Alex frowns, he tries to sit up more, daring to stand. he winces when the knee makes a dry snapping noise. Whatever rotten and dried Sinue is left... is not going to hold weight any time soon. He plops back down to the ground, grimacing "Please." He tiredly jokes at Jasmine's mention of the entity. "Jasmine helped withdraw an entity from my body. many of my wounds were here before..." Alex states "Jaku carried me to the nearest infirmary... speaking of which..." he looks back at the library, the back half was still destroyed from Elenore's fight with another man before "Why... here...? Where did the young man go...?" He mutters to himself. Alex seemed confused until he saw the drag marks leading out. ((there was a fight here earlier in the day)) Alex chooses to remain quiet about it for now. Imi had enough on her plate.Some of alex's wounds do close up a little, even the corrupted ones. "Progress..." he mutters.

Jasmine watched her old friend and the one called Alexander, and then looked to Imi, "So, ask me all the questions. I'm up for a session of 'who's your daddy and what does he do' .." She grinned then a little more fully, turning back to Alex and Galen, "Galen, you know what I can offer, if you want it, you just ask. Just like when I helped in the other infirmary."

ImiYem would fold her hands in front of her "Well done priest"  she would say and then look to Jasmine and Jaku then to Alex "Elenore? who is elenore?"  its not a polite question as she waits. She begins to notice the disaster of the library, and raises her eyebrows "shit"  she mutters, and then looks about, blushing slightly at her outburst "so, if I can get this straight"  she composes herself "You Captain, helped him and this near fatal incident was a good thing? And had nothing to do with this disaster?"  she asks, gesturing to her newest problem, th elibrary...

"The library was closest. I thought it would be a clean environment because you know it's a library I took to much for granted I'll use the infirmary from now on which I will clean regularly myself if I must." Galen stated, to the general room.

ImiYem would dip her head and look to Jasmine "That is not quite correct"  she says, referring to Galen's explanation "I only offered two choices as I thought the situation urgent, I will take responsibility for this"  and she gestures to the carpet "and will have to explain this"  as she gestures with pale fingers to the disaster that is the rest of the library... and she takes a deep breath, her life as a guard not going so well recently ...

Jasmine nodded to Imi, "I would guess that saving his life, even though he's a bit banged up and .. well, no longer on life support by a bound entity... I guess that was a good thing. I have never been in this library, m'lady. I have my own things to worry about at this time. Including unloading a shit load of salvage and incorporating new crewmates to the Ship." She looked around, "Galen? Cleanest?" She chuckled a little, "My lady..." She turned to Imi again, "I can certainly offer my assistance, and call a few of my crew to help you clean and re-arrange the books, etcetera. If you wish my help, the offer is always on the table."

Galen asked, "Is Mads still around? He has to be two thousand years old by now." He'd keep one wary eye on the patient still in case any disstress came back

Alex shrinks down a bit "I... was possessed." He laughs nervously. He chooses to zip it about the library... for now.  "Elenore is the... antonym for that entity. A false but common name for her." He stares at his knee, noting just how far the dead tissue spread. While the spells helped... well... a lot actually, the thought of amputation and its ramifications was crossing his mind. He looks back at the mess, noting his cowl and much of his torn clothing was still over there... right in the middle of the mess, but his mask and cane were gone. Alex chooses to stay quiet for now.

ImiYem dips her head "I am afraid these books are her majesties property, and in so being our responsibility"  though she gratefully curtsies, tossing her cape behind her gently as she does " We take care of our own matters in the city, you would not wish someone like me coming on to your ship to.. clean up with several of my colleagues I suspect?"  as she gives an example you probably do not wish, a bunch of grey guards snooping about your ship as they "help" and she smiles She looks to Alex and just listens, though her green gaze goes to the withered leg, "you should have that cut off"  she says, gesturing in the general direction of his lower body.. Perhaps unclear about what needs to be cut off.

Jasmine chortled, "The last time I saw Mads he was surrounded by ... ladies and highly enjoying himself. " She looks down at Alex, "And what a possession it was! But, Shadow on Abyss, I thought I was pretty well evenly matched. That could have totally gone the wrong way." She shook her head, "But It didn't." She looked Imi up and down, her chuckle softened, "My lady, if your colleagues caused havoc on my ship, yet you were no part of it, Yes, I would allow you to help me and mine clean up the mess, if you meant to help in earnest." She cuckled lightly again, "They could snoop all they like, for if I am willing to have them help, all things snoopable would be hidden, and I do hide things very well." she gave a polite quarter dip of a bow, "But you are the authority here, and I am informing the Authority of my willingness to cooperate."

Galen Listens to the interplay between the guard and the pirate while keeping an eye on the patient he had nothing to offer about the posession  so he didn't but he would listen. before asking the guard "Would the library  have information about the viking people?"

Alex Raises his eyebrow "Look miss i am not going to flash you... but i swear those bits are fine!" He jests with a quip at the other elf. He looks around for anything he could use as a cane. He sighs, frustrated. "I should come clean about something... though the memory is hazy." He hesitates "I do think the possession started in here. A younger Gentlemen attempted to strike me... Not that i blame him to be perfectly honest." He smiles weakly. He looks up at Galen when he asks his question. "Yes lots... though... much of it is evidence right about now... Apologies."

ImiYem dips her head to Jasmine "It is unnecessary, but thank you, your generous offer of cooperation to the Crown will be noted"  she offers and then raises a single eyebrow "and I would be happy to board your ship and assist"  she offers, amused, sure you are not serious about that, for it would be like the holy grail of grey guard inspection, for pirate ships like Jasmines are legendary, and the intelligence gathered by being aboard would be... immense. She would look to Galen "I am not the librarian"  she offers, as a cop out... She looks to Alex "Lady thank you"  she says, "I was just offering, amputation often soothes the long term issues over the short term attachments"  she says with a small smile.  she sees him looking and withdraws her sword "here, return it, it is my mothers"  she says, extending the valuable blade to the elder elf.

Galen asks"I take it a couple of vikings got into a scuffle or some such in the library and caused the mess in betwixt the queen's books?

Jasmine 's smile curls a little more to Imi, "You would be most welcome aboard the Briny Maid, My Lady. When would you like to board? I will ask Smitty to ready a meal, perhaps on the deck, or on the prow? She is anchored outside of Claw waters at this moment." She watches the offer with the sword, not understanding what Imi was offering or to whom..She looked at Galen, then the whole mess in the room, "Are Jhilsara and Thunder aware of this.. incident?" she asks, then looks down to Alexander, "What would you like done? take the leg, as high up as the hip, one could guess, or much lower. Or we can see if there is something in my .. repertoire that could fix it. Sometimes I keep very old things...useful things... that I get my eye set on."

Alex takes the blade with hesitation, looking down at his leg. He looks to imi and gives her a nod of thanks. He holds the finely crafted weapon in his hand, testing the weight of it. He looks to the other physician "Wh... What... do you think?" he traces his fingers to where the last of the dead tissue was. He thinks deeply about what he is going to do "If this is the case... i... no..." He falls silent, staring at the limb for a long time. "No other options...?" He says in a almost joking manner, his eyes look saddened. He laughs at what he assumes is Galen's joke "Oh no... i did mention earlier... i think my possession started here..." He says this with shame. "this mess may very well be my fault." His eyes light up, hopeful at jasmine's offer. "Well... loosing a leg isnt exactly... ideal." He looks back at where his cane used to be and rolls his eyes "Id love to experience walking without a cane again... but such things might be but a dream at this point..."

ImiYem does not comment, but takes note of what Galen says.  She would simply stand there, Holding her sword out to the elder elf to offer as a cane, for well, she had been raised well.  She looked to the Captain "I will take you up on that captain, thank you"  she says and still holding the sword out as a possible cane she waits, "I will inform the Grey Guard, whom will deal with the issue Captain"  she says. and as the sword is taken she steps back. She still has a dagger, and of course few see the ornamental swords on the wall...

Galen States, "I wouldn't try to amputate your own leg, but you have more experience then me if you think it needs to come off at least let me give you  a sedative first. though I'm not sure if you could work even under a light sedation.  will the leg put you in danger?" I will leave it up to your judgment just tell me what you want to do  if anything."

[09:56] Jasmine nodded, "Galen, Patch up the injury as best you can. I will go do some research in my own small library. I have come across a lot of things that quite possibly could either reverse this damage, or heal it completely, Or if it is unable to heal, To cut it off, and regenerate a whole new leg... Or I can get Tobias to build a leg out of metal and wood. There are many MANY options, since being a sailor as long as I have.." She looked to Galen, "I am pretty sure there is no longer any trace of that entity within his system..." she looked to Imi, "When would you like to board?" she asks simply

[10:01] ImiYem 'tomorrow?"  she says to Jasmine, "Captain?"  she adds, tilting her head "I have never been on a ship" she would admit, the honesty of high elves being a curse "My people are, as you might suspect, of mountains and glades"  and she smiles "It excites me"  though one would not know by her visage. She listens to the solutions for the leg, but of course remains quiet.

[10:02] Galen Darkeyes: Thank you for the assistance Jasmine but next time for fates sake summon a healer first next time! though I guess technically a healer was there to guide  you. and I've treated the injuries at least  the life threating ones do you think I've just been standing around gossiping while someone was dying? I do have a certain level of competency you know this by now."

Alex sighs, feeling a little frustrated that he is still grounded. "I think a leather chord should be used to restrict blood flow... i... do not think i can go more than a day with this much dead tissue attached... by the smell alone...." Alex shakes his head "with how many shots i took to my head today sedatives would undo all your work...I would surely perish" He looks to Jasmine "we... may need to grow a new leg... or prosthetics... replacing that much with wood is hardly functional." He laughs, tying his thigh off with a scrap of material "Maybe i am being picky.... i should speak with you later" He unsheathes the blade he still had in his hand. "Can someone get a firepoke...? i need it red hot." He stares at the limb with determination

Jasmine 's eyebrow goes full people's, cocking at Imi, "You've not sailed, and yet you are right here, on this coast?" She tsk tsks, "Tomorrow it is my lady. I will see that you are greeted with the respect one as yourself will deserve." She looked over at Galen, and being chastised, she then chuckles with an undercurrent of chortle, "Galen! I didn't go looking for this fight! He dropped in my lap, nearly literally! I just decided to clean up a sticky mess! So.. now, the question is, How soon do you want the leg removed? And would the action be alright to take right here? And now?" She looked to the blade being held by Alexander, the one once held by Imi, "I can sever it clean if you would desire, but the blood would flow, and you will need that leather cord to make sure he didn't die as soon as it was severed." She looked around, finding no fire poke, "Let another cut it off for you. You need to concentrate on NOT dying."

ImiYem takes note that the priest and the captain seem to know each other, well.. and so she stands silently, for she thought the priest a newcomer to these lands.   She steps forward and takes her own mothers blade from Alex and walks over to the fire and lays the mythral steel in the fire and stands, watching it redden, then yellow with heat "this blade, elder elf, belonged to my mothers mothers mother, it is more than five thousand years old, it will be an honour for you to have it sever the impediment , and the women of my families legacy will forever remain in the cut.  And once it has brightened to the colour of the sun, she turns and, hilt first, having first wrapped the hilt in the fabric of her cloak to Galen "priest, be swift, my ancestors reside in this tool"  she offers. She looks to Jasmine, "my family blade, the female side of our lineage, is hot enough"  she says, staring at her and then looks to galen, still holding the hot blade.

Galen Sighed, his face looking hesitant but attempted to take the blade, reminding himself it was his job he steeled himself for what he must do but wouldn't act just yet

Alex looks up, a mix of fear and determination is painted across his face. "Hmm... Imi, you know your blade best. It is already tied off. So long as whoever does it does not cut off anything else..." He gives her a knowing look "We will all remain remain friends." He gives her a cheezy smile, trying to bring some levity back.. He gathers the worn fabric away from the cutting line and extends his leg, doing his best to keep it relaxed. He covers his face, and takes deep breaths, preparing for the pain

Jasmine stood back, and was impressed by the Guard's candor. She fingered the ring on one of her fingers, twisting it lightly, hoping she wouldn't HAVE to use it, but with Galen's knowledge and the fact the sword was blinding hot, held ready for the outcome. "Galen, Let the Guard wield her blade, you show her where to strike." She does reach for a small wad of leather cord in one pouch, and leans over, "Bite this, Alexander, you will thank me for the fact you will lose no teeth" she whispered to him

ImiYem looked to Galan and nods, she is willing to do the cut, for she is sure of her hands... as she offers her hand to take the burning hot blade

Galen Looked relieved at the thought of the guard doing it. He would easily acquiesce "I will gladly let the guard do it."  He almost chirps as he gets out of the heavy responsibility of cutting off a limb

Alex bites down, giving her a thankful nod. His eyes meet hers for a long time. He knew what was coming. He covers his face again, denying himself even peripheral vision. The limb slowly relaxes again.

ImiYem looks to Galen "Put your finger on the exact place Priest"  she says "quickly, before the blade cools"  she demands as she draws her arm back

Galen Puts his finger in the air indicating the place where the guard should cut getting close enough to cast a shadow to show the guard but trying to keep his finger from getting chopped all the same and he would quickly say "Here!"

ImiYem raises the sword and glances at Galen, then at Alex "Look, an orc!"  she yells, hopping Alex will look behind himself and she swings, hard, to try for a clean cut at the exact point.. who knows...

Jasmine lifts one hand, as well, drawing the shadows from the corners of the book cases... the air begins to chill around her, and she tilts her head, waiting for the strike to the leg. One freezing tendril of shadow to counter the burning and pain...

Imi rolled against Alexander Daywalker, using 1d20, scoring 5 (5), versus 1d20, scoring 16 (16) for tries to cut clean..., and FAILED!  (5v16)

ImiYem would take a second swing, seeing the weapon hadnt severed completly, its a hard swing...

[10:27] Imi rolled against Alexander Daywalker, using 1d20, scoring 12 (12), versus 1d20, scoring 11 (11) for hard second swing, and SUCCEEDED!  (12v11) - Health now 1

Jasmine dropped the darkness like a cap of black on the leg, the cold to stunt the bloodflow.

Alex shudders as she swings, keeping his face covered in his arm. The limb tensed, causing the sword to partially bounce off the bone. "GAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! FUCK!" The poor man's whole body tenses up. before he knew it the blade had entered his leg again to finish the damn job. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH! He wails between clenched teeth. his voice muffled by the leather he has bitten into.

[10:28] Jasmine rolled to heal Alexander Daywalker, using 1d1, totalling 1 (1), for Stop the Flow of Blood - Health now 2

Galen said sadly "Sorry I have nothing to to offer you to bite down on."

ImiYem would step back and look to the others "the blade got cold"  she offers and shrugs, for she knew the elf could take it as she reaches down and hoping to assist, picks up the severed leg and holds it.  Yes thats macabre, but Imi's typist heroes are Wednesday Adams... so...

Jasmine 's hands lower to her sides, "He won't die." She looked up at Galen, "I will find my tools." She said in that low, calm monotone...She held her hands out to Imi, "I will dispose of it.. You need to get your people to clean this, and get Alexander to a proper place to heal."

Alex curls up, holding onto the thigh stump. He breathes in and out of his teeth "GGGHHHHHH FUUUUUCKKKK" The man is in agony and fighting to keep conscious.

ImiYem looks to Jasmine, and then looks to the leg "this Captain, is a part of a citizen, I will only release it with his permission and that of the Queen , I shall look forward to your reception on your ship tomorrow as she well, keeps his leg, possessively, for she does know what evil magic can be done with ones body parts, she is well educated...

Jasmine nods, "Then I know you will see to the disposal properly." She said with the curl of a smile, "I will take my leave, then, I have much to research for his well being." she turned on one heel, heading to her small office/library in town

Something Strange Happened on the Way to the Hot Springs (Alex Jasmine and Jaku)

Jasmine, having landed earlier, and her men scattered to the four winds, made her way to the bridge and the hot springs... however... She soon hears shouting: "Stop! Noooo! Enough.... Enough!" Alex bashes his own head against the wall of the bridge. some unseen voice screams back at him and then laughs. The man steels himself, gripping the raining as hard as he could while several tendrils try to drag him foraward. She freezes at the mouth of the covered bridge, and stares hard at the conflict going on. She narrows her eyes, and rests hands on the hilts of her swords, "OY, What's this on about??" she shouts across the bridge.

Jaku looked up, as he heard screaming in between his thunderous hammering. His brows furrowed as he looked in the direction of the noise. "Faka..." he grumbled as he dropped his tongs and headed out of the forge, hammer in hand as he twisted it in his grip. Once he got to the bridge, he'd realize some had beat him to the confrontation "What's goin' on 'ere..." he asked as he tilted his head to look at the entity across the way...

Alex looked up, a feminine voice laughs over his and says something about killing his friends. "Lady! run! run... please!" He holds himself back up, claws slowly grinding themselves to dust against the rail.

Jasmine 's ears twitched as Jaku approached, then looked at Alex, a smile crossed her face, "Beware who you call 'lady'" She said in a low, calm monotone, toward Alex "Whoever spoke of killing 'friends'.." She called out, in that same calm monotone, "Better check to see if there are any to kill. Name yourself." She shifted her stance, and took a hand off of one sword, and placed it on a bottle at her hip. The bottle had a white capper, and seemed to lift of its own accord toward her hand.

 "Oi..." Jaku said sternly as he took a couple steps forward, eyes squinting before they widened up, realizing who was across the way. The big man looked confused as he heard the voice. It was coming from his direction but he didn't sound like this... Even the way he stood. He'd grunt as walked up and stood next to Jasmine "Ah do know what's goin' on wit him... he es usually nice 'n quiet..." he said in a lowered tone before he raised his voice to the man "Oi, Old man! Ets seemin' like ya need someone else ta play de Doc fer ya this time... come...." he'd motion for him to cross the bridge "De aunties will try 'n help ya..."

In a game show like delivery, the female voice calls out "My Stupid little pet name given by this maggoooot isssss elenooooor!  Hehaaahahahahaaaa" Suddenly the struggling of the body stops. "J...Jaku...? big guy... Thank the gods..." He looks up, his rolled white eyes widen with genuine horror "JAKU! DON'T YOU DARE LET ME CROSS THAT BRIDGE." The feminine voice lets out a sickening laughter "Look..." Alex takes a breath "At...At least let me say goodbye... Before..." Alex speaks. The feminine voice falls silent until he is done. "Have i *ever* lied to you Elenore? Its a simple compromise... let these two live... You know full well its only a matter of time before we are both put down... With how damaged we are... You can keep at least one of your promises this way..." After a long and awkward silence the feminine voice retorts "Alright, we will fix the overgrown worm's fucking foot. then you are mine. leg is fucked anyways so who cares right?"

Jasmine was very aware of Jaku looming over her behind her, but she stood her ground. In fact, the air around her began to chill, and the shadows of the covered bridge pulled toward her as well. She plucked the relatively small bottle (about 4oz) from the holder on her hip. "Hold" She said quietly to Jaku, "This is something you don't want near the Aunties." She looked back to "Elanor" and glared, "Name. Yourself" She said again with a little more force, then paused, "What is going on here?" She took her thumb off the capper of the bottle, and prepared to pop it, and give the entity a nice little shower... and then she advanced a step onto the bridge. 

Jaku grunted a bit as he now heard the familiar voice. He looked confused as all hell. It wasn't until now he heard the woman address him. Something in her tone made the big man stay at bay for now. He'd bend down to get another look at the man as the grip tightened on his hammer. "What es goin' on, Doc?" he yelled out as his head snapped to Jasmine's hand and he'd take a step forward, a weird feeling in his chest as he winced a bit "Do ya 'ave ta 'arm him...?" he asked her "What es dis disease he has...?" he asked, ignorant of what could be going on with him

The female voice takes over for a moment, slowly crawling forward. the white eyes seem to gleam and glow from across the bridge. "I am Zorkemath." whatever this things name was, it was not easily understood. "My pet here is about to expire. so here. The mangled figure plunges its own hand into its ankle bone, ripping and snapping a hunk of flesh out. She tosses it to the two "Have the big one pick it up so i can eat this one already!" she snaps.

Jasmine 's eyes start to glow, and being what she was, hard to pronounce names were a thing she completely knew, "Let him go so he can die in peace." She said in a low, but chilling, not calm, monotone, "Let the man go." she simply stated, and glanced at the hunk of flesh that had been torn from Alexander's ankle, "Big guy, Jaku, right? Don't touch the flesh." she hissed a warning.

With all this talk of death, the big man's lungs flared up a bit as he yelled out "Oi! Why es we speakin' o death?" anger and worry brimming in his voice. He'd look to the body of the man he knew and asked "Tell me wha ah muss do! Ah 'ave only just been graced wit yer kindness... et es too soon!" he said as he started to roll his shoulders. He'd take a couple more steps forward, the thuds booming the land around them as he glanced down to the flesh "He does not need ta die does he?" he asked Jasmine as his voice grew weak, something knotting up in his throat as he cleared it "Ya can 'eal him right?"

Alex stumbles back gripping the side of the bridge. Tendrils try to whip forward but fall just a foot shy of Jasmine and Jaku. He states "Our.... soul bond was broken... the... desperate bitch.... broke our contract. So we have been fighting" He lets out a nervous laugh, gesturing like is is talking over afternoon tea. his other hand has a death grip on the bridge "Worlds worst breakup..." He forced himself to take a step back, onto the now busted ankle. it makes a horrid sound. "At least... i got to say goodbye..." Alex shakes his head. "I THOUGHT WE HAD A DEAL!" the female voice snaps "Oh look whos pissed about being lied to... *Thats a unfamiliar feeling." Alex retorts.

Jasmine held her hand to the side, to keep Jaku from getting closer, "Sir, do not get closer." She said softly to him, "I'm no healer, but I can at least sort out what the fuck is going on." She glanced up at him, the air around her, the closer he got, seemed to feel as if one stepped out into a frigid December morning, and the shadows made the wood of the bridge start to look like a yawning pit between them and Alexander and his ... friend. She then lunged forward, popping the cap from the bottle. The Clear, but glowing liquid getting slung from the hand of the Dark Elven looking woman. She goes silent, the air dead around her, the prep of attack having been done subtly ((I will be rolling attack))

[07:10] Jasmine rolled against Alexander Daywalker, using 1d20(+bias 1), scoring 9 (8+1), versus 1d20, scoring 6 (6) for Bottle of Blessed Water to sprinkle the Elenor Entity, and SUCCEEDED!  (9v6) - Health now 2

[07:11] Alexander Daywalker rolled 1d20 for Alex tries to catch whips (10 to pass), and rolled 13 (13)

The parts that are Elinore Sizzle and boil. The entity screams and hollers with a horrible guttural sound. Tendrils try to whip out. Alex reacts quickly and grabs them himself, slamming them down instead of attacking "HA!" some color comes back to his eyes.

Jaku halted at Jasmine's gesture as he felt the air. It reminded him of the peaks he roamed and before he knew it, she was off. He snapped his head up and they were already at it. All he could do was stand and watch as he stood frozen, not able to utter a word... (Y'all can skip over me)

Jasmine finishes the bottle of water on the body of the infected man, and soon the gaping hole of shadow spits out it's own tendrils, long, whip-like, spike-like and as if they know what is expected, reaches to intertwine with the Abyssal tentacles on Alexander, and begin to pull.. pull them out of the man. ((Rolling attack))

[07:16] Jasmine rolled against Alexander Daywalker, using 1d20(+bias 1), scoring 19 (18+1), versus 1d20, scoring 20 (20) for The Shadow Meets and attacks the Abyss, and FAILED!  (19v20)

"NO!" Alex shouts, loosing control, Elinore Grips Jasmine's tendrils and attempts to swing her into a wall. (rolling!))

[07:18] Alexander Daywalker rolled against Jasmine, using 1d20(+bias 5), scoring 18 (13+5), versus 1d20(+bias 2), scoring 20 (18+2) for Elinore: Eldrich body slam!, and FAILED!  (18v20)

Jasmine stood strong, but with a small twitch of surprise that the creature fought back as strongly as she did. Jasmine's hands reach out, and the Shadow Tendrils start to wrap around Alex in general, lifting him from the ground, but not far, only a foot or so. They wrestle with Elanor, again, trying to pull Elanor from Alexander, like combing a snarl out of a matted head of hair... (rolling again!)

[07:21] Jasmine rolled against Alexander Daywalker, using 1d20(+bias 1), scoring 16 (15+1), versus 1d20, scoring 5 (5) for Shadow V Abyss, pull Elanor from Alexander, and SUCCEEDED!  (16v5) - Health now 1

[07:23] Alexander Daywalker rolled 1d20 for Alex tries to block Elenore again (10 to pass), and rolled 3 (3)

The creature gnashes and bites savagely in response to the assault. tendrils whipping everywhere. Alex tries desperately to breathe while he is held. He tries to block another attack but is unsuccessful. (rolling attack))

[07:24] Alexander Daywalker rolled against Jasmine, using 1d20(+bias 5), scoring 17 (12+5), versus 1d20(+bias 2), scoring 7 (5+2) for Eninore bites and slashes in retaliation, and SUCCEEDED!  (17v7) - Health now 2

Jasmine feels the attack from Elanor, and doubles down, snarling, and a small wisp of dark leaves her lips, out and down, like a heavy cigar smoke, but dark as the shadows in the Bridge. Her hands twist and turn, manipulating the shadows which seem to be getting the upper hand on the Abyssal Entity. In fact, she seems to shift herself, tendrils of dark appear around her head, forming in, through her hat, around her ears... ((rolling to get this thing OUT of our boi here))

[07:29] Jasmine rolled against Alexander Daywalker, using 1d20(+bias 1), scoring 4 (3+1), versus 1d20, scoring 1 (1) for Final Draw? Shadow V Abyssal, To remove Elanor from Alexander, and SUCCEEDED!  (4v1) - Health now 0

Elenore Is finally ripped from Alex's body. The sickly man drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes. The tattoo over his neck fades. The entity would be stuck, rapidly shedding crystals and teeth all over the floor of the bridge, totally at the mercy of jasmine.

"There et goes!" Jaku yelled out, pointing at the entity on the floor...

Jasmine looks to Jaku now, her grip firm on Elanor, "Jaku! Get the man! Take him somewhere... Somewhere where he can be tended by healers! NOT the Mead Hall! There are too many innocents in there!" she hisses at him, not sure if Alexander CAN hurt anyone, but not wanting to take that chance. She advances across the bridge, dragging Elanor with her, away from the Claw Territory, "Let's get you bound into something nice and tight... Unless you wish to return to your abyssal home, never to return?" She looks into the writhing mass of darkness as it is drug along.

Jaku blinked repeatedly as he thought about the demand coming from her. He'd put the hammer in his apron "Aye!" he said as he ran over, coming to a sliding stop as his knee stopped inches from his face. He'd bend down to hold the man up like a princess as he started to run off but he paused. He looked back to Jasmine "M-make sure ya kill dat ting yeh?" he sounded scared of the thing- the unknown.

Alex blinked, gasping for air. "Is...I...." He coughs, spitting up blood. His eyes seem to lull lazily to the back of his head. the once twitching eyes on his knee slowly stop moving, looking more glazed over than before.

Jasmine fishes around in one of her hip pouches, pulling out what looks to be a metallic container. She sets it on the ground, and lifts one of her chained tomes from the other hip. She lifts the lid with one toe, swinging it wide open, and like a ghostbuster trap, it seems to glow from the opening... She opens her tome to a certain page, and begins to read the spell, spoken in a language that almost sounded abyssal, like how the entity spoke its name... and in that spell, she did indeed invoke the name that the entity foolishly gave her. And a-la Ghostbusters, the writhing mass of darkness gets sucked into the box, lid snapping shut.

Once Jaku started to hear the foreign language, he knew something was going on. With that, he was off!

Jasmine picks up the box, and steps back into the shadows of the bridge, only to appear in the hold of her ship. She opens a door on the side of the hull, where another yawning cavern seems to await. She steps inside that one, then looks around. Boxes and bottles, scrolls and glass cases fill this room.. a few are inhabited, but there are plenty of empty glass cases... Jasmine sets the box inside one of the cases, and locks it as well... "Now.. I need a fucking bath." She mutters, glaring at the captured entity's new 'home'

 The Briny Maid took to the sky the evening after finishing unloading her library into the small village square and talking to the folks at the small tavern. Jasmine was wanting to explore more of the area where that young Dragon had attacked the ship, and to see if perhaps it was chased away for good, or if it was just biding its time to attack again if another ship passed through its territory.  

Less than a day, the Maid was over the area where the attack happened, and to Jasmine’s dismay, wreckage of another ship floated, scattered, over the surface of the sea. She had the Briny Maid lower to the surface, yet not settle into the water, and began a search, and possibly rescue any of the survivors. Which, to her apparent relief, were also scattered around, clinging to various flotsam from the ship they had been on.  

The Maid was able to find six sailors, and various floating goods that were able to be salvaged. The downed ship had been a trade ship, full of textiles, such as cloth, threads, needles, looms and other various clothier’s accoutrements. The men were fed, cleaned up, and set to help on the Maid, until they were allowed to shore. Jasmine was glad for the small bit of help on the ship, and Smitty took note of how well the saved ones settled into a familiar routine.  

Once the salvageable was salvaged, they took to the sky once more, seeking the sign of the Oceanic Dragon. For two days, they sailed, and no sign became apparent, even the Mers were unable to catch sign of any large predator in that area where the larger ones could be. The only things they found were multiple ship wrecks at the bottom of the sea.  

Smitty went to the aft of the ship, where Jasmine sat on the railing, watching the clouds trail behind, “Captain. I don’t think we need to stay out here. The hold is full of salvage, the men are talking about how much they liked the Taverns in that little port city. Plus, don’t you have some obligations as well?” his voice was gruff, but she was accustomed to that. She’d known Smitty for centuries.  

“Aye, Smitty. I do. WE do. We’ll make port at the Claw docks on the morrow. Have the helmsman steer us back around. We can report of our findings, and lack thereof, as well. Give everyone an extra grog tonight. Tomorrow, they get to go ashore again.” She rubbed at the back of her neck, “Send the wreck survivors to my cabin. I need to make them the deal.” Her voice, ever that low, calm monotone, seemed to smooth over Smitty’s gruffness.  

“Will do, Captain...” He turned to go fetch the new men, then turned on his heel, “Jas...” He started, then shook his head, “Nevermind. We can discuss other business after we make landfall.” He then turned back to his task at hand. 

Jasmine soon slid from the railing of the Aft, and made her way to her cabin, where a few of the men stood, waiting. “Men, please, enter. I have a deal for you, one that you may never get from any other.” She opened the cabin door, and ushered them in. She went inside, and waited for the remaining survivors.