Uphill Battle

[Bjorn]

"I'm afraid I'm not entirely Bjorn Christianson," Bjorn replies gravely to Philip's earlier question.  "But if you'll come aboard, with all your friends, we can set forth for Anabara -- after we stop to pick up some provisions."

In response to the telepathic probe, Later.

[Carthrat]

"I guess we're lucky we don't need to go on food," remarks Tom. "Ah, right. I'll go and get them." He does just that, having them bring along all the gear, as well.

[Bjorn]

Tom and the thralls aren't moving as quickly as their massive musculature might suggest.  Bjorn, who has been watching quietly, his brow furrowing as time goes on, finally draws himself up, crossing his arm across his chest, and begins to chant:

"OOMpah LOOMpah DOOM pa dee doo
I've got a pretty puzzle for you.
OOMpah LOOMpah DOOM pa dee dee
If you are wise you will listen to me!

What do you get when you slack off at work?
Trudging and moping in the morning's murk.
What are you at, working terribly slow?
Do you not think it's time to go?

I don't like the look of this!

OOMpah LOOMpah DOOM pa dee da
If you're not lazy, you will go far!
You will live in happiness, too,
Like the OOMPah LOOMpah DOO-pa-dee-doo!

There is a silence while everone stares at him.

"It's, uh, traditional," he mutters.  "Very ancient custom for my people."

[Dracos]

~This will be remembered until the end day~, Dracos succinctly replied in thought.

[Brian]

Din looks puzzled, but says nothing, merely shifting his eyes to the Colonel.  Westley blinks a few times, then says, "Fascinating."

Not long after, the rest of the gear is winched up -- though, the horses don't seem particularly overjoyed with being hauled into the sky.  All of Tom's purloined goods are also taken aboard, though the muskets look kind of trivial next to the energy rifles.  Once everyone is aboard, the Starflare begins rising.

The halls of the ship aren't quite wide enough to accommodate the crowd, so Westley has everyone brought to the ship's cafeteria (separate from the officer's dining quarters).  Hugo, the anabarist, is also there, and introductions are made.

"Now," Westley says, clapping his hands together and not taking a seat, even though he urges the thralls to sit and make themselves comfortable (they all do, except for Seven, who is staring with a look of concentration at all the shining brass and steel).  "From what we've been able to tell from the mirror assembly, there are Church holdings between here and the Meridian.  We can rise high enough to try and remain out of sight, and possibly see if it's clearer Coreward, but it seems that the edge is the furthest point from their control.  Where do your friends need to go, Bjorn?  And what do we do with their prisoner?"

Din looks like he'd like to say something, but then he looks at all of the (taller, stronger, better armed) people around him, and instead stares at Quincy, who is a bit out of place in his Church garb.  Quincy just pales and begins shaking.

[Dracos]

Dracos followed the glances and shook his head.  "You are mistaken, Quincy is not a prisoner.  Though it may be complicated circumstances, I ask that you believe me," He glanced at bjorn.

~I would really like to know more  about what is going on...~

Dracos

[Carthrat]

"Anyhow, we were planning to try and go to Anabara," supplies Tom, furrowing his brow.

[Brian]

"Ah," Westley says in a knowing voice.  "A spy, then.  Very well."  The Starflare continues to rise.  "Smashing!  Simply wondrous!  Are you seeking asylum, then?  I'm certain that the King and Council will be very interested to meet natives from beyond the gate!  Only...."  He pauses, glancing across the assembled freed thralls, churchman, and Phil.  "This is an unexpectedly goodly number of people to take aboard.  You aren't needed here, anywhere?"

[Carthrat]

"We were slaves," replies Tom, bitterly. "'Bred' through the gates, however that works. So, churchmen aside, you'll find us not too talkative about matters on this world. We simply don't know anything, and Anabara sounded like a better place.

"So.. yes, we would be seeking asylum, in the end. Emancipation, even."

[Bjorn]

"For my purposes," Bjorn replies to Westley, "these two," he indicates Philip and Tom, "must come with me to Anabara.  I cannot speak for the others, but I think we can trust the judgement of Bloom and Rees-Lee."

He hesitates, and turns to Tom.  "Though, I will suggest: Din's people are on the verge of war with the Church.  Your friends would be of great assistance to them in that fight.  I think I might speak for them and say that they will be treated with the greatest of respect and courtesies, and I can guarantee that you will be able to speak with and watch over them no matter the distance between you."

Not only does he not reply to Philip's telepathic prompt, he rather pointedly lets his mind shift across the Dream, weakening the connection between them.

OOC: Back to standard spending on Influence, which includes Mental Defenses which are now up -- if Drac wants to talk to me that way, he's gonna have to roll.

[Carthrat]

"We've already begun fighting against the Church, simply because it condones such inhumanity," replies Tom, glancing over his people- Seven in particular.

"How can I say this? We're defined by our experiences, and I don't want all we do to be war- there's more than that to life. I'd be happy for my men to join Din. In what time we have before the war, we can assist with work; and, if all goes well, partake in every aspect of life before fighting must be done again."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn glances again at Din.  "Any help, in any area, that they would provide would be received gratefully.  And I think Din's people would happily provide an opportunity to give your friends a chance to learn of life from under the Church's thumb."

Turning to Westley, he continues, "Then, Colonel, perhaps we should set forth for Din's village?  You can then re-provision, and we can start these former thralls on their new life."

[Brian]

"Captain Vega should already be bringing us back where we first arrived, so that's no matter --  there's still the question of supplies, after all."  The colonel glances at Hugo, who nods and walks to the hall.  "We'll follow Master Din's directions and stop there."

Din shrugs and says, "I am sure my people would welcome warriors who wished to join us, and were not friends of the Church."

"Wonderful," Westley says, nodding.  "We should be there in a few minutes, if all goes well."

[Dracos]

OOC: Just being..there, since it seems like we're going and I don't have any disagreements  =D
IC:

Dracos nodded in agreement.  "Quite an incredible ship," He admired.

Dracos

[Brian]

As suggested by the colonel, before anyone even really has time to ask any serious questions, the ship can be felt drifting downward.  The ratcheting of anchor chains lowering rumbles through the ship softly.  "This should be it," Westley says cheerfully.  "Shall we have a look around?"

"Home?" Din asks cautiously.

Shortly, the ship has come to a halt, the ramps being lowered, and the first of the horses being set back via the gantry -- good thing, too.  They don't look to have cared for the journey.  All around is grassland, with the distant smudge of forests to one side.  The only point of interest nearby, other than the occasional tree, is a small village of awestruck people who stare at the gleaming ship.

Din trots over to the village -- probably about two hundred yards away.

Westley's smile fades a tiny bit.  "I do hope your village is able to provide without undue strain on their own wellbeing," he murmurs to Bjorn.

The freed-thralls mill around, glancing at the area, but mostly just the village.  The villagers do a fair bit of staring at them, too.