Episode 1: Ierendi, The Tournament of Adventurers

The astral hand pushes the deck so that it is in front of the Captain.
Cut the cards into different stacks as you focus on your question. When you've felt you're ready, cut them into three separate stacks. I will then overturn each card and together we will see if we can gain some insight.

Anlo will walk Tas to her dressing room, chatting about the event and their plans on how to train the competitors quickly before parting ways and returning to his own quarters. He'll use the walk to try and see if anything else is out of place or otherwise odd.

Tasya and Anlo heading to Dressing Rooms
Tasya and Anlo make their way toward the dressing room through the bigtop covered main circus deck. It is dark now after the show; all the crew has retired for the night. Only a few slivers of moonlight shine in through some open beams above and small balcony windows.


As they move across the deck, Tasya and Anlo see KaeKae Storm the human Makia ranger who is one of the tournament contestants peering out a window on the circus floor. A beam of silver moonlight shines on his face; he looks be lost in thought. But then he hears Anlo and Tasya walking the deck and turns in their direction.




Khali's Studio

Captain Zephyros furrows his brow, thinks for a moment and then cuts the deck into three separate stacks. He then excitedly and inquisitively looks up at Khali.

Khali flips over the card that is to the left of him.

"I can give you the traditional interpretation of the card but its your feelings as you gaze upon it that are more important. After all, the Divine is communicating with you, not me. This first card shows a strength you bring, or a weakness you must be wary of, into the situation.

"When you look upon this card, what are you feelings?

"Its traditional meaning is; 'The presence of a spy or a minion of some greater power; an encounter with a puppet or an underling'."

Khali's Studio

Zephyros looks thoughtful. "I've spent many years trying to redeem myself for my former life. In that life-long attempt I may have lost a bit of my own sovereignty. Maybe the card speaks to my weakness, as I have become solely a servant to the kingdom. I faithfully serve Admiral Kai and the Ierendi Navy and she pulls the strings. But she is no minion or spy. No, that's not her."

He thinks again. His clawed hand reaching to the tournament pin fasted to fabric on his chest armor. Ponderously, almost to himself, he says, "Puppet, you say? When I received this pin there was an hazed glare in the eyes of the guildmaster until she passed it to me. When I asked why my pin was received after the others, she looked confused and simply said she does not know. That was odd because she is usually bold and outspoken."

"Evening," Anlo says with a polite nod. "You seemed distracted. Didn't mean to interrupt. Everyone has their own routines before a big day." He offers a smile, even as he wonders what the man was up to.

Circus Deck
The ranger KaeKae Storm responds, "Sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you. Yes, big day tomorrow. I'm not even sure what to expect. I suppose you two are discussing our training. The anticipation there is certainly is keeping my mind from resting. " He sighs.

"But I'm skulking around in the dark mostly because I'm concerned about another matter, which troubles me because it has to to with a fellow ranger. You see, when I was passing a window after the show, making my way to the reception, I thought I heard the sound on the air of a southern raptor. I did not see it when I looked but I know of only one raptor that is the beast companion of a fellow ranger, Steward Derek, the king's own body guard. I did not think too much of it until I mentioned it to Derek at the reception. He was surprised and elated, saying that he hasn't seen his loyal companion, Shadowwing, for days. This is not normal for a beastmaster and his companion. So between pondering that and being worried about what you will make me do tomorrow...well, I cannot rest. Just came here to see if there was any other sign of the beast.

Khali offers him an approving smile as she speaks to him.
Listen to your intuition, Captain. I feel you are correct. You should win the Crown for yourself, not to please another. That what you must do if you are to be successful. And, you are right to be concerned about the Guild Mistress. Your instincts serve you well.

She flips the second card over; the central card."This card represents your greatest challenge. It's what your competitors bring to the table. As you look upon it, what does your heart tell you?"
"It's traditional meaning is: Mystery and riddles; the unknown; those who crave magical power and great knowledge"

Khali's Studio

Zephyros studies the card and ponders.

"Mystery and those who crave magical power?...In my dealings before the Tribunal as an Ierendi naval officer I often sense an element of mystery. I feel there are those who hold some allegiance to Glantri among the Tribunal. My heart tells me that there are those who would like to see the king remain crowned due to his Glantri ties. Perhaps these forces are my greatest challenge in this contest. They may even seek to disqualify the tournament's result."

Khali only adds "I'm sure the spell casting contestants will use magic to gain an advantage; fairly or not." There is a little warning in her tone. She then flips the final card.
"This card represents a possible outcome."She looks a little troubled as she studies the card. "Is it traditional to gamble on the contest results? The traditional meaning of this card is 'Sudden change in economic status or fortune'."

Circus Deck
The ranger continues, "But I haven't seen anything of note here. I guess I should force myself back to my quarters and try to rest. Depending on what you have me engaged in tomorrow, I think I will try to speak more with Steward Derek when he escorts King Palfrit to the ship for training."

He sighs again before looking at Tasya and Anlo with a smirk. "How much later into the evening will you two be plotting the rigors of our training?"

Tasya replies in a drained tone, "There's not much left in me. I am exhausted from the performance and all this trouble with the crowns has proven overwhelming. I need a good rest to be any use to you tomorrow. I'll start with a quiet drink in my dressing room though. Gentlemen, I bid you a good evening." She begins to walk across the dark circus deck toward the stage.

Khali's Studio

Zephyros replies, "Traditional? Yes. Officially sanctioned...not exactly." He chuckles. "I'm sure my faithful crew has a wager or two on my success." The chuckle turns into a melodious purr-like rumbling laugh.

He regains his composure and looks at the third card. "I started life as no more than a beggar. Pirating gained me infamy and wealth, which was followed by imprisonment and the stripping of my ill-acquired fortune and replaced by rehabilitation along with a life of duty. Perhaps this card foretells my success in the contest and my wealth regained as the king of Ierendi."

He thinks again...
"Hmm...you are wise to warn me of the magic of other contestants. I have considered what Pyra Emberflare might bring to the table from the mages of Honor Island."

"I'm not well-versed in matters outside of this vessel and circus activities, but I feel it would be... uncommon perhaps? Or strange? A ranger's trusted companion vanishing I mean. Makes me glad my spikes cannot take off on their own," Anlo says, offering a light chuckle at his own joke. "Still, I hope he is able to find his friend."

With that Anlo bids KaeKae good evening and continues his walk with Tasya, making sure she arrives at her room safely. He'll inquire about holding on to their evidence, so it's all together, before returning to his own quarters.

AnloKea Kea bids Anlo good evening as well. Anlo moves to catch up with Tasya and the ranger remains peering out of the ship. When they discuss the evidence Tasya says, "Keeping it together is a good idea and out of the hands of anyone who wishes git rid of it. So will you take it?"

Khali offers him a bow. "It is my wish that I, in some way, have been some assistance. You have keen insight, Captain. It will serve you well. Is there anything else you require of me?"

Khali
Zephyros replies, "I believe you have provided some great assistance. Thank you for the reading Mistress. No I do not require anything else of you, but...I...

The captain stammers a bit as he reaches for his purse. "I know it is customary for your clients to pay for their reading. I wish to do so, but...I hope you will not be insulted considering your position in the tournament proceedings."

"Of course. Just don't forget, you're my alibi if it comes to that," Anlo says as his shoulders slump. "What a mess... hopefully tomorrow morning will bring a better mood. Night, Tas."

Anlo
"I really hope it does too. Thank you Anlo. Hope you can get some rest." Tasya says as she passes over the evidence she has wrapped up and then enters her dressing room.

Having gathered the evidence into one spot, Anlo returns to his quarters and finds a suitably hidden spot to hide it for the time being... after which he retires for the night.

Anlo's Quarters
When Anlo makes it back to his quarters, something strikes him as odd, as his door is slightly ajar and he did not leave it that way.

Anlo will pull a group of spikes and be ready to engage as soon as he sees his door.