Spirits in the Material World

[Brian]

The men exchange a glance.  "Who?" Westley finally asks.

"Minor officer of the old King," Captain Vega says thoughtfully.  "I think he'd been affianced to a distant niece of the royals.  'Course, I'm afraid we've been drifting for more than three years, now.  Our information is not exactly up to date."

[Bjorn]

"Mine, while perhaps more current, is quite a bit more patchy," Bjorn confesses.  "So, then.  To business?"

[Brian]

"Aye, but now we've got two business interests to pursue," Captain Vega says.  "First, we need provisions.  No working round that."

Westley interjects, "Master Din, here, has explained that he will be our liaison with his local authority.  Master Gestur is here in the capacity of a military adviser."

The captain rubs his chin.  "Okay," he says with a nod.  "We'll wait till daylight to try and reach a trading post.  No reason we can't stay here overnight.  I suppose that means we'll attend navigation issues first, then.  Master Gestur, our pressing concern is to find a way back home, to present our discoveries to the King, and then, to the Council.  How difficult and what cost would you append to this journey through the shroud, spinwise?"

[Bjorn]

"Difficulty, and the majority of the price, I'm afraid, is not entirely up to me," Bjorn replies.  "I will need to speak with the spirits and drive a bargain with them, and I would not care to hazard a guess as to what price they might seek.

"As for myself, however, the only price I will charge will be passage to Anabara -- and I hope that you gentlemen might find it within yourselves to provide me with some assistance and introduction whilst I get my feet underneath myself there."

[Brian]

Westley refills Bjorn's glass without asking if the witch-doctor wants more.

"If that's all," Captain Vega says with a snort, "you've got yourself a deal.  Though unless I miss my mark, you're saying that the ... these spirits may charge another price, eh?  Well, I shouldn't have expected it to be easy, but that's a fine deal.  Better than I expected.

"We'll worry about that after we resupply.  Do you know the lay of the land, at all?  I'd like to update our charts -- find any notable landmarks."  He pauses, considering.  "Though, at this hour it may be best to wait for light."  He shakes his head.  "Morning," he decides.  "Everything can wait that long, at least.  Hugo, see that these men are given comfortable accommodations."  Downing his second glass of brandy, he slides his seat back and rises.  "Thank you for your patience and generosity, Masters Gestur, Din."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn finishes off his glass as the Captain does, and rises at the same time.  "Til morning then," he replies cordially, bowing slightly.

[Brian]

The anabarist rises, not quite as smoothly, and ducks his head as the Captain strides out the same door he came in.  Westley shrugs, sealing the bottle of brandy again and placing it reverently back in its cabinet.

"This way, if you please," Hugo says, leading the way back into the ship's passageways.  After passing the (now retracted) stairs, the pair of apparent savages are led to a reasonably sized room with two bunks built into the walls.  A closet near the entrance runs the length of one wall, and Hugo suggests, "You may want to leave your weapons there; if the ship begins moving, they could tumble around."

The room has no windows, but a tiny washroom (complete with a shower!) at the far end.  Also, an empty but functional looking desk, built into the wall opposite the bunks.  At the head of each bunk is a small cabinet, presumably for personal effects -- though these are all empty at the time.  A panel with buttons controls the lights, as Hugo demonstrates for Din's benefit, and when the lights are off, the buttons glow enough to be lit.  After showing Bjorn and Din around, Hugo nods, excuses himself, and says to ask any of the crew if you need anything.  Otherwise, he'll come to collect the pair of you for breakfast with the officers.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn stows away his weapons, and makes sure Din is comfortable -- giving him the top bunk in the outside chance, as he explains, that the Anabarians are not as friendly as they seem; any attacker would go after the lower bunk first.  

Setting himself down upon the bunk, he summons the spirit of the elder Shuker.

[Brian]

It takes only a minute for the elder Shuker to arrive, though he appears a bit baffled initially.  "Ah," he says, smiling broadly.  "Dr. Christianson!  And...."  He trails off, examining the surroundings.  "Where are you, just now?"

[Bjorn]

"The H.M.S. Starflare," Bjorn replies quietly, in case Din is sleeping.  "There have been some... updates in the situation.  With any luck, I'll be coming to Anabara very soon aboard this vessel."

[Brian]

"That's...."  The specter rubs its eyes, then puffs on its pipe.  "Fascinating," it says after a moment.  "I'll be sure to pass that on to Nathan, then.  Anything else?"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn scrubs at his eyes.  "I don't think so.  Do you know how long the Starflare has been gone?"

[Brian]

"Just a few months past three years, I'd say," the specter judges.  "I remember it leaving very clearly.  The King was absolutely confident it would return."

[Bjorn]

"It still will," Bjorn replies confidently.  "And now I know that the passage of time is about the same for them as it was for you.  Excellent."

[Brian]

"So it would seem," the specter muses, looking around in admiration.  "Fine construction, I must say.  Well, anything else then, Dr. Christianson?"