HSI: The Island

Fafnir is impressed by this crew's abilities. As he hoists the bird with Halor, he reflects how Mauve barely flinched when the bird took a chunk out of her - a hard woman! And Halor had just performed a miracle before his very eyes. Astounding. Perhaps there was more to this god of his than he gave him credit? Could this god heal a demon infestation, perhaps? Nay, it was best not to hope.

Fafnir utterly enjoys feasting on the big chickens. After all, it's the first meal he's eaten in weeks that he hasn't had to fight off waves of nausea. Shortly after finishing dinner, the tiredness hits him. He falls asleep mid conversation with a smile on his face, knowing the earth beneath him won't rock or sway.

"Who knows what the night will bring, but right now I am gods damned happy. You gotta take that when you can get it, ya know. You gotta take... that... Zzz..

Gwydion will butcher the second bird like he did the first. He threads thin strips of meat on sticks with the intent of making jerky over the smoke of their campfire. He will offer to take first watch and tend to the drying meat as he listens for trouble.

Mauve is as tired as Fafnir. Despite her wounds being healed the excitement of fending off death has taken its toll on her and as soon as she has eaten her fill she is ready for sleep. Still, she manages to utter in a low whisper that the others may or may not hear, "We should bring the other bird to the crew on the ship... I'm afraid I won't be much use for a night watch..." and in mid-sentence, she drifts off to sleep, curling up into a ball by the fire, one arm flung over her bow.

Halor stands and stretches, a large chunk of greasy meat in his fist. He takes a bite and chews thoughtfully. "Not bad," he says, "We know at least one thing we can hunt here, I suppose. I'll take watch after Gonnar."

He considers Mauve's suggestion. "Those men likely know how to fend for themselves, and charity doesn't get them anywhere but dead if they can't. Yet, I am not heartless. Gwydion appears to be smoking the meat so that it lasts longer. We should take a portion for ourselves as we explore further, but it would be a show of good faith to bring some to the crew."

Gonnar eats voraciously, enjoying the meat a great deal compared to the hard tack and other miserable rations they had on the ship. Grease runs down his chew as he chews, and he talks despite having a mouthful of meat.

"It's good, very good." He nods at Smyth when the man mentions taking second watch, and talks through another mouthful of poultry when Mauve mentions giving the other bird to the crew. "They don't deserve it. But good idea. Stay in their favor. Make them forget you stabbed their captain to death."

Day 1: 8:00 PM to Midnight
Gwyndion tends to the fire. He keeps the flames low, but alive through his watch. The island is alive with noise during the night. Animals cry out or roar in the distance. There is movement through the grass and in the canopy above. You circle round the camp ever so often to check the perimeter, but nothing breaks the jungle foliage surrounding the camp.

The night moves along and the strips of chicken have smoked long enough. You start to set them aside to cool. Once that is done, it'll be time for Halor to take over. You lay the strips on a nearby rock when a sound breaks the silence of the night. The noise is distant, but very much out of place. It's as if someone had toppled a cabinet of dishes. The crash of plates is short, but distinctive. Shortly after, you hear the deep melodic sound of a man's voice singing. It's too distant to make out the words, but the song has a sad, hymn-like quality to it.