Chapter 1 - No Silent Secret

Astraea beams proudly!

"Nyxborn, you say?", he says, eye brows rising. As the introductions begin, Tacloth looks at each person, giving a slight head bow with his hand across his chest. My name is Tacloth. It is a pleasure to meet you all. He reaches out and touches the kennel. But about this back-mounted pet carrier... who build this? Do you have the design? May I study it?

"Tacloth. Yeah, you can look at it. Are you in the feline care industry? I've never seen somebody so interested in a cat purr-veyor. But I get it, this is the top of the line, as the salesman in Meletis assured me. Straps are a little tight though. Totally not a comment on your weight Kyrios."

"Of course, Lady Astraea. I will say it’s quite comfortable. Although a silk pillow in here could make things even better."

Top of the line, yes, yes. It does look like fine work. He lifts the box slightly, even while it's still on your back. Perhaps an adjustment? Or even another strap, around the waist, to balance the weight on your back?

"Uh, okay. Sure! Say, Tacloth, what are you doing in a place like this. I mean, not a lot of human males are allowed in Setessa! Wait, you are a human male, right?"

Kalstios smiles, oblivious to any note of sarcasm, "How nice! Thanks! Ale for me please!"

Scylax holds up a clawed finger. "One for me too, thank you."

"Now we're talking! One for me and two for Kyrios!"

'I do not think it wise to give Kyrios ale, at least not in those amounts.' The longer she spent with Astraea the less Sarlyn understood her. 'I suppose I can also try an ale. Though it appears to be an acquired taste of you loand-locked.'

"Ah, you're probably right Sarlyn! Oh no, these poor ales with nobody to love them, abandoned in their prime! Come here my lovelies, I will give you a home!"

She hugs the three jugs earnestly and begins chugging, giving Sarlyn a knowing wink.

Ale isn't bad, but wine is sweeter. Have you tried that? Tacloth turns back to the woman. A sweet wine for me. Care for one, too, Sarlyn?

"You're so right Tacloth. A man of refined tastes. I'll order one once I'm done these beauties. Say, what are you doing here anyway Tacloth? I might be misinformed but I thought the Setessans didn't let adult male humans very far into their lands."

I make things, repair broken things. My talents have earned me a bit of ability to roam around, but not far, and rarely without watching eyes. He takes a large gulp of wine. What of you and your friends? Why have you come to the polis?

"We have become embroiled in the affairs of gods," Scylax rumbles. "Now we are charged with a sacred quest."

Kalstios, seemingly impressed with Astraea's ability to drink and a deep desire not to get bested by her, orders two more tankards of ale to try and keep up. "Yup, newly converted follower of Thassa here. Praise be the woman of the waves. We also just chopped the head of a giant lion, well my furry friend here did!". He throws a booming laugh and slaps Scylax hard on his back.

Ahh, the gods. Capricious as they are, I hold a reverence for Purphoros.