Chapter 4: The Waters of Menehune

"We can grab the lantern and hoof it around," Regan replies. "If Cordey is worried about the skiff, he can guard it and we'll pick him up on the way back. We have a job to do, and that" the warrior says, waving his hand in a generally fey town-ish direction, "is nothing but problems. Lots and lots of problems. Look, I'm sure they're wonderful folks and if we weren't on a mission visiting them would be great... but the very nature of fey means they're going to make it harder for us to do what we came to do. It ain't an insult either, it just is. Everyone will notice us because we're new and different, they'll have questions, they'll want us to look at this, listen to that, trade those things, and don't get me started on our pockets and packs getting lightened.

All the while, we're still trying to get a ship and we have zero idea how much goodwill we have left with the Queen. We may be on a time limit, and I don't want to still be here when we wear out our welcome."

"Aye, you make some very good points," Admiral concedes, slyly, eyes glittering with mischief and excitement. "But, if our time is limited, then surely it’s in our best interest to take the quicker route? Sailing straight through the middle would be a lot quicker than trying to trek through the jungle on foot. And I know a fey celebration can be a lot more dangerous than it first appears, but, personally, I would much rather face this known danger, than wander off into the jungle where we could encounter any number of monsters and wild animals."

Regan glances back to Admiral and shakes his head. "No, the path that we know is going to be plagued by non-stop distractions and interruptions is not faster."

Cordey does look worried about the proposition of abandoning the skiff. Taresh notices and offers,

"I believe Regan is correct. It is true, as the Captain says, that we are not sure what lurks in the jungle, but we are sure that chaos unfolding around us in the fey celebration would slow our progress...in the very least."

In my travels, I have learned some greater ways in the Art of Shadow. I could attempt to channel the shadow force to disguise the vessel, whether I remain with it or not. Success will deplete me of my abilities until I can meditate again, but it should provide the skiff with a veil for a few hours. The vessel would be safe from detection by all but the greater fey. The Queen herself, for example, would easily be able to pierce the veil."

Caspian pulls his weapon to his side and offers in a short tone, looking to Jin for approval, "I would stay to monitor the safety of the skiff. If it seems any trouble needs to be avoided, I believe I could navigate the vessel downstream myself back to the babbling brook."

Admiral’s ears droop, disappointed, but he’s clearly outvoted and he’s not the captain of this boat, so he shrugs and says, "Alright, let’s find somewhere safe to tie up the skiff."

Jin insisits to Caspian, "If you stay, promise me you’ll keep yourself safe. If danger comes, don't play the hero. But if you take the skiff downstream..." (he hesitates, his eyes quickly following the long perimeter of the visible lake bank back toward the river) "...in this fey jungle it may be days before we can make it back to the brook on foot, if we even can. I hope you can hold here. We’ll come back."

He nods once--more to himself than Caspian--before he consents his rakasta friend's proposition, "Just... don’t disappear on me too."


Meanwhile, Regan spots a recess on the side of the lake opposite the fey celebration.

After the discourse is done between Jin and Caspian, Taresh bows his head to Admiral and lowers himself to the skiff’s floorboards, legs folding beneath him in a practiced motion. His eyes close, in moments the last of his Ki surges outward. The party can visibly see shadows coiling like smoke around the vessel, clinging to the vessel and its sails. The day light dims from within the veil, yet the party can still see the lake and jungle banks beyond it. It appears the skiff is now concealed.

Taresh shortly thereafter opens his eyes and calmly says, "It is done."

Once the skiff nears the recess Regan spotted, Admiral hops from the skiff to the muddy lakeshore and swiftly secures the skiff to a sturdy-looking tree with some rope so that it doesn’t drift downriver. He takes one last look at the fey revelry in the distance, sighs, and then turns to face the jungle. His tail flicks from side to side as he peers into the dimly-lit undergrowth, ears pricked as he listens to the constant rustling and chittering noises of the jungle. He draws his sword in preparation to slash a path through the dense greenery. "Are we all ready to go?"

"Grab that lantern, yeah?" he reminds Jin. With that, Regan throws his hand to the side and his hammer appears. He nods at Taresh, then looks into the woods. "Admiral was right that walking is slow going -- although not as slow as constant interruptions -- so let's try to make good time."