foward-dated to 11/28, text; un: emissary

[heartofsalvation]

I will keep this brief. If anyone reads this from the mainland, it seems a number of us have awoken on an island; there are some ruins on it, if that helps. We must have been taken here by someone, though I know not how or why. We are all right, just a little dazed.

Does anyone know why we are here? Who put us here? Has anything ill happened on the mainland?

I am going to try and gather as many of us as I can, to take a headcount. If you see this and are also on the island, pray meet me at the entrance to the ruins; it is the only landmark as far as I can tell.

Comments

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[emet_sulk]

What in Zodiark's name have you gotten yourself into? What happened?

[ Hi, Emet-Selch has kind of...been ignoring the expedition and has no idea what is going on. ]

[heartofsalvation]

I barely remember it even happening, but I think we've been abducted. We're on an island with some ruins, but that is all I can tell from here.

[emet_sulk]

How did you get yourself abducted?! I know you've been rather lax since coming here, Elidibus, but this is ridiculous.

Don't tell me you're in the middle of the ocean.

[heartofsalvation]

I am, in fact, in the middle of the ocean.

To be honest, I have no memory of being abducted; whatever happened must have somehow made my memory of the events foggy. But the fact remains that I am here, and I fear I may not be alone.

[emet_sulk]

Do you mean that in the sense that there are dangerous creatures with you or in the sense that there are other inhabitants?

[heartofsalvation]

Both? Though the "inhabitants" are a number of our fellow prisoners, so not quite. I can't imagine it's safe to stay here, at any rate.

[emet_sulk]

[ Ugh. ]

Fine. I will take to the skies on my familiar and see if I cannot spot your island. Where were you last?

[heartofsalvation]

There are some ruins at the top of the isle; they appear to have been cleared out, but they are a notable landmark nonetheless. Erichthonios and I are lingering nearby, in a spot out in the open, in case others should happen by us.

...Thank you. My apologies.

action

[emet_sulk]

[ It takes several hours for any glimpse of Emet-Selch or his familiar to be seen. It would have been longer but the former Ascian had the presence of mind to ask about recent happenings with the other Chosen. He'd flown to Rumpitur, and from there, searched beyond the coastline for an island matching Elidibus' description.

By the time the pair reach the island, Grani is exhausted. The familiar lands heavily and its head immediately droops, sides heaving with exertion. They certainly won't be flying back any time soon. ]

What in the seven hells were you thinking? [ Emet-Selch immediately snaps as he dismounts. ]

[heartofsalvation]

[Elidibus looks a bit taken aback by that. It is to be expected with Emet-Selch, but still.]

Nothing. I was asleep... I think.

[If he wasn't, he remembers none of it, so he can't speak to his state of mind regardless.]

But I apologize for making you come out all this way nonetheless. I suppose I could just transform and fly myself back, but a glance at your familiar tells me that may not be wise.

[emet_sulk]

[ His jaw clenches and he shakes his head roughly. ]

The distance is too great. You would exhaust yourself. Have you found a source of food and water yet?

[ There are saddlebags on Grani and he busies himself opening them now to take out a canteen of water and some dried meat he had the foresight of preparing in advance of winter. ]

[heartofsalvation]

Water, yes; food, no. It being the cold season only complicates the latter, and there seems to be little in the way of wildlife...

[Like something has picked off all the small fry, perhaps. An ominous thought, but one he files away for later.]

If your familiar made it, I am sure I could, too, but it would drain me to the point of needing a few days' rest afterward in an environment absent of aether, no doubt. But there is the matter of the other people on the island in the same situation that concerns me, Erichthonios among them.

[emet_sulk]

[ He scowls as he hands over the dried meat first. If they had found water then food is the priority. ]

Well, I cannot carry anyone else out if the journey is already tiring with one man as a rider. And neither will Grani allow anyone else on its back. I hope you aren't expecting me to play courier for everyone here, Elidibus.

[heartofsalvation]

You make it sound as if this was my idea.

[He crosses his arms.]

Well, the first step is letting the others know we are here, which we have done. There are no boats here, we've checked; but there may be some still on the mainland, permission be damned. I hesitate to suggest creating one when our creations are so unstable here, so you may need to go back and arrange to return with a number of them.

...However, given the state of your familiar, you may be stuck here until it feels ready to make the return trip.

[emet_sulk]

[ He glances at Grani. A few hours of rest should suffice. But they certainly wouldn't be making another round trip today. ]

...How many people have been taken?

[ There is little chance that he's going to be able to have Grani tow the boats when it's a struggle just to fly here but he could help liberate them. Only because Elidibus is requesting it, that is. >:| ]

[heartofsalvation]

I don't know. Too many, I'd wager.

[Presumably, the intent is to let them die one way or another. He turns his back on Emet-Selch and looks at the land in front of them, until eventually his view is cut off by trees.]

...Still, I should apologize to you and Erichthonios alike. I let my guard down for too long.

[emet_sulk]

[ He sighs. ]

I haven't seen you this out of sorts since--

[ He stops himself there and turns away, rummaging through Grani's saddlebags for water to give to the familiar. ]

Just take us to wherever you've set yourself up. I want to be off this island as soon as Grani is ready to fly.