Back Story

Kitsune just remembers that her patron had told her she’d recognize the map, but recognition doesn’t mean she knows immediately what it looks like. "You know... I’m not sure. I know if it’s Far Payit, I should be able to recognize it when I see it. Let me go speak to her, maybe I’ll come out with it myself. Go check in with Dukalu, and give him my regards please.

And with that, she left. She didn’t have a full plan yet, she was winging it; something she was very accustomed to doing. The part that was new was having others in on her shenanigans. She wasn’t sure how to have them help yet. She didn’t have much time to debate it as she arrived at Elena’s office, knocking and patting her left pocket to make sure she had her crystal on her.

You do know the way to the cabin. You go knock and it opens. It is as dark inside as last night except for the light you let in from the door. That light blinds you to what else is inside as everything is in shadow.

"Do come in, dear."

Kitsune walks in and looks around. "Thank you, you wished to see me?"

The door shuts behind you without a sound, so as to not have anyone on ship know that you were in the lair of a vampire. Though, they knew. They knew she had summoned you. No one said a word to you when you walked by. They did not greet you. It was as if you were walking to your own funeral.

Everything was in its right place, Even Elena looks perfectly natural in this red and black room with the jungle flowers. She sat at the same table that you and Dukalu sat last night. She gestures for you to sit. The only difference in the room was that the velvet drapes over the windows were closed and the glass piranha sat at the table.

"Yes, Kilsune. You are fitting in with the crew well. How are you getting on with the ship's mate?"

The unease was felt, but she remained her calm, collected self. "Don't lie, but don't be open," she reminded herself as she walked over to sit at the table by Elena. "I'd say things are going well... he trusts me and anything I say to him," she gives a sly smile. She knew the words she spoke were true, but the intent she was trying to convey through her body language was different. She wanted Elena to think that Kitsune was playing with Dukalu, that he was just a pawn in her heart's game of chess.

"Excellent. He is preparing arms. I take it you have chosen him for the first wave attack?

"I have. Can you explain to me exactly how this is going to happen?"

"Why? It's simple, Kitzune. You go in and kill every last bat in there and get the codex in their temple."

Pure death... that checks out. "Ah yes, then I would like Dukalu at the front lines assisting me. He’ll listen to me and the crew will listen to him. What is this codex used for?" she asked, pretending that she didn’t already know, hoping that Elena will pull out the map for her.

Your luck is strong. You cheated the dice. She doesn't notice your "forgetfulness," but for her to pull out a treasure like that is unlikely. Nice try.

"Good! We shall use the codex together to unlock the map. Victory over death is ours. Pour us a drink, Kiltzun."

She starts to reach for the bottle, but pauses. "What did you call me?"

She smiles her smile that says she is in control, not you. "We understand ourselves, don't we ... Kiltzi?"

"How do you know?"

"There we have it. That's the most forthright and honest statement you have made to me yet. Did I not tell you that I know my first mate and his tragic story well? You have destroyed his heart every time. I just want to profit by the knowledge this time. Tomorrow we will take the ship into the caves and you and Qotal shall go in and retrieve the codex. Then bring it back to me. I'll be your only ship and means of escape. I'll keep all my thralls here to protect the ship. You will come to me for the grand revealing of the codex. Otherwise, I'll be sure to make this your shortest incarnation ever. Now go Missy. You have a lot to think about." She stands up and nods to the door.

Kitsune stands and leaves. After taking a few steps away from Elena’s office, she starts shaking, fear is sweeping over her, the uncertainty of it all is hitting her. She’s playing chess with someone five moves ahead of her. She doesn’t know what to do.

She holds back the tears she wants to shed, still shaking, and starts wandering the ship. She’s not really paying attention to her surroundings or location, she’s too distracted fearing for her life, and for Dukalu’s as well. She doesn’t doubt that any crew who see her are looking at her with pity-filled eyes, but she couldn’t care less at the moment. She needed a new plan... that her exhausted, fear-filled brain couldn’t formulate.

"Kit!" Dukalu runs up to you on deck and puts an arm around you. "Are you ok? Did that vile thing do anything to you?" He looks around and says quietly, "We have 8 humans and Poca and half the arms ready for anything. That leaves the 8 goons and Elena."