Miriam pulled Adaline through the dark as fast as she could. She was worried something in here that was benign to her would hurt the unprotected Mage. Unfortunately for Miriam’s plans, Adaline was still under the effects of the Accelerate talisman which gave her time to look around the shadowy world Mirima ran through.
Red glowing cats eyes watched her from every angle, floating in the endless dark. Like some eldritch horror waiting to leap and devour her. If it were not for her time with Altair looking into the Sacred Realm or the Void as he called it, Adaline would have been shaken. Instead she was able to calmly notice that those red eyes that were like the endless suns were watching her very closely, they looked at her in concern.
The two burst out of the shadows on the shipyard docks. Miriam pulled Adaline along as they raced through the moored Airships.
Behind them the Red Dragon Gang members emerged from the side tunnel but didn’t pursue. There were too many Militia Guards patrolling the upper decks, the Red Dragons wanted revenge but not enough to commit suicide for it. They would track Ms Miriam down another time. Hatchets gave up for today and led his team away.
The ladies passed an assortment of Airships; Zeppelins, Blimps, Balloons and Flying Treasures. In front of one mooring, Adaline's people waited. Miriam shouted for them to climb aboard as she and Adaline passed, the guards noticed Miriam and made way.
Miriam, Adaline and their entourage briskly walked into the aptly named Flying Dagger, an Airship flying treasure shaped like a massive dagger that was the property of Ishram, Tisa’s contracted partner.
As soon as they were through the door. Miriam pulled Adaline aside, sending the others ahead.
“Are you okay? What did you see?” Miriam asked. Her worry was palpable.
“You pulled me through a realm of darkness with infinite eyes watching me but I’m fine. I swear.” Adaline insisted. As she stared into Miriam’s concerned eyes she made a realisation.
“Again with the ‘eyes’, I don’t see any eyes in there.” Miriam was happy Adaline seemed to be made of sterner stuff than the Thug she had experimented on but was still perturbed by Adaline’s experience. Adaline held Miriam’s face in her hands, causing the taller woman to stop fidgeting.
“Don’t be silly, people can’t see their own eyes.” Adaline pointed out, she had noticed that the crimson cat's eyes that watched her through the shadows were the same as the pair coming to a realisation now. Adaline held Miriam’s hand again, this time it was Adaline who took the lead and pulled her stupefied friend Miriam deeper into the ship.
There were a lot of people, some families had multiple generations, but while there were only 30 cabins Ishram wasn’t taking any cargo on this trip so there was plenty of room. Most people were in the dining hall mingling when the ladies arrived so Miriam pulled herself from her stunned state and made introductions.
Some of Ishram’s staff were making the ship’s sleeping arrangements therefore Adaline left her group of followers in their care while she followed Miriam.
As they passed the Galley Miriam and Adaline were treated to Jalissa, and her older cousin Cameron, creating an impromptu puppet show for a crowd of smaller children including Cameron's younger siblings. The scene brought a smile to both women’s faces but they didn’t stay to watch, instead they headed towards the Bridge.
“Ishram, this is Adaline. Altair’s second wife.” Miriam introduced.
“Ha heh, he works fast. Nice to meet you, Adaline of the Bashtuck Clan.” Ishram said.
“Nice to meet you as well, Captain Ishram.” Adaline replied. Ishram turned to the helm and although he didn’t seem to do anything the Ship thrummed like a beast awakening. Soul bound Magic treasures weren’t rare but Airship type treasures were. Most Flying Treasure Airships needed a crew of about 10 but Ishram’s Flying Dagger only needed a co-pilot for when he was asleep.
“I believe you are the last.” Ishram pointed out. “Let me make an announcement.” He stated. Once again things happened without him seeming to have done anything. His next words were heard throughout the ship.
“All aboard, we are departing in 10 minutes.” Ishram announced. His crew made checks to ensure no one was on the way but once he had confirmation. The ship closed its doors and sealed itself. In one smooth motion The Flying Dagger departed The Warren.
Although the Dagger was accelerating those aboard didn’t feel anything. Soon they were at the Dagger’s cruising speed, at this rate it would take them 4 days to reach Pitt City, the closest next City State. Other Airships would take about a month to make the same trip and it was nearly four months via Caravan.
Speed was always an advantage, This group would be able to get to Pitt City and set themselves up before the managers of the Pitt knew the Warren had trouble and could raise prices for rentals and refuelling.
Once The Flying Dagger was on its way Ishram called all the adults to a meeting room. With Tisa by his side holding his hand he told the gathered group about the Calamity heading to The Warren. He told them what little he knew but there were immediate complaints by people who had left loved ones behind. Others wanted to return for some foolish reason, complaining they would have made a different choice had they known.
Miriam became fed up and stood before the crowd.
“This caterwauling, complaining and indecision, THIS is why none of you were told before we departed!” Miriam rebuked them.
“Most of us here are not the elite, no one would have saved us, it is our fortune to be here. It is YOUR fortune to be here.” She looked around the room, meeting and holding the eyes of the dissenters. “Fate has smiled on you and you complain because you greedily want more, you would not have left if you had known? You think you can make a difference and get more people out? So be it. When my husband arrives, he, Adaline and I are returning to the Warren for the Council meeting. Anyone who wishes to return may join us, but for you it will be a one way trip. Speak up, who wants to return?” The crowd was silent.
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“That is what I thought. Be grateful that Ishram, Tisa and Adaline have given you this chance, and those of you who still hold a grudge can go their own way in Pitt city.” MIriam stormed out, she was pissed at how easily they had become a panicked mob.
Adaline chased after her to their Suite, Ishram had insisted The Bashtuck Clan take one of the better cabins, the suite had 1 master bedroom, with bathroom, 2 servant bedrooms, 1 additional toilet and shower and a common room. Miriam slumped on the comfy couch in the common room with her mind preoccupied.
She could do more. She could have told more people but she didn’t have any way to get more people out. Was she wrong for safeguarding those closest to her? Why couldn’t she be selfish in this instance?
While Miriam struggled with her dilemma Adaline kneeled down in front of her and took her hands.
“You are beating yourself up over something beyond you. Saving a few is better than saving none and saving all would have been impossible.” Adaline told her. The two shared an intimate silent moment holding each other.
“My timing is perfect.” Tuck said as he stood in the doorway. His arrival had been completely silent, both women came forward to greet him, he kissed one then the other before holding them close.
The loving moment was broken as Tuck spread his senses out to encompass their vehicle.
“SWEET LORD THIS IS A VOIDSHIP!” Tuck exclaimed, startling his lovers. Once again the language of Shaards failed him, he wanted to say SPACEship but the word space did not have that context in this language.
Tuck walked to a switch on the wall and pushed the button. No one knew what the glyphs on the panel meant but to Tuck they read ‘Intercom’.
“Ishran, my brother, you didn’t tell me you were soulbound to a Voidship.” Tuck said into the intercom.
“Tuck? Is that you? How are you talking to me? What’s a Voidship?” Ishram’s voice came through to their room.
“Ships made for navigating the Sacred Realms.” Tuck clarified. Miriam and Adaline had shocked looks on their faces.
“I had no idea, I found it when I was adventuring as a Caravan guard while I was a young man but a lot of the enchantments are broken. I do not dare to go to a Sect, they would kill me and steal it.”
“Don’t worry about that my friend, I can help you get the Flying Dagger back to its best condition and put it through its paces when I have more time. We’ll talk later.” Tuck told Ishram, ending their conversation.
“Altair, can’t you move through the Sacred Realm, the Void, without a ship?” Adaline asked.
“Yeah, but that isn’t as cool as this!” Tuck gestured to their surroundings. He took a moment to marvel before getting to business.
Altair handed Adaline her Indentureship contract to sign. She read through it with haste and signed below his signature. Once the magic did its work Altair took out a second Signet / Spatial-Ring and slipped it on Adaline’s finger.
“Welcome to the Bastuck Clan.” Kisses were exchanged all around.
“Ok, now strip.” Tuck said. Miriam and Adaline dragged him into the master bedroom, Adaline chucked her simple dress and Miriam locked the door. When Miriam went to take off her leather armour and Adaline tried to undress Tuck he stopped both of them, laughing at the misunderstanding.
“We have time for sex later, you Succubi. We need to apply Adaline’s Tapestry, I don’t like her being vulnerable.” Both women looked embarrassed.
“We will continue this later.” Miriam said. “In the meantime let me tell you of our misadventure while you work.” Miriam and Adaline told Tuck of their run in with the Red Dragon Gang. Miriam apologised profusely for antagonising Wesker and bringing trouble to the Clan’s door.
Tuck was just happy the two of them were alright. He brushed off her concerns about causing trouble, Wesker had no evidence she had done anything, he was going on his gut, so what if he was right.
Shaards wasn’t the kind of place where Truth was power, the illusion of society was thin on this world. Neither the Weasel nor these Red Dragons had the power to do as they like, but Altair would show them that the Bashtuck Clan did.
***
Tuck had already collected the necessary beast blood and herbs and processed them into the Magical Ink needed to paint the Runes. Tapestry ink stained the skin, and the Runes were linked together creating circuits for magic to travel along the body, this way Mages pulled magic from their core and used their limited inner power as a lever to affect the greater power of the world around them to devastating effects.
In a Sect a GreatMage would be needed to apply any part of a tapestry but with Tuck’s control of space he was more than capable, he had figured out that by pushing his space into the local space around him, he was able to telekinetically move around objects within metres of him with great precision. It was only in hindsight that Tuck realised that this was how his Spatial Awareness and his Shroud also worked.
Adaline meditated while Tuck floated her about and painted from the soles of her feet to the tip of her head. Fortunately Tuck had fine control over his power, he was even able to paint around the follicles of hair on her head.
After every completed circuit Tuck would pause, as the Magic Ink sublimated it would vibrate the air and a deep gong sound would be heard before the runes would disappear and would only reappear when Tuck started laying on another level.
By counting the gongs anyone listening would know what level of Magic Adaline was at. NoviceMage, InterimMage, AdeptMage, ProfessionalMage, ExpertMage, MasterMage, GrandMage, GreatMage, DivineMage and finally ArchMage.
It took hours of precise control to put down each tattooed circuit layer to apply Adaline’s Rune tapestry perfectly but Tuck was finally done.
The completed tapestry covered Adaline completely, as the Runes turned invisible Adaline continued to float. However she now floated under her own power while acclimating herself to her new ability.
Tuck got up and stretched, despite doing all the work, he had moved even less than Adaline.
Miram returned to the room with packaged meals. Some time during the Tapestry application she had moved to the common room to watch over Jalissa and her cousins. Tisa and Ishram needed some time alone.
Miriam made sure the kids were fed and had the girls sleeping in one room and the boys in the next. She also took the time to have dinner brought for the adults, she was keeping it warm in her Signet-ring.
Tuck used this time to study the Flying Dagger through his senses. He could see areas in need of repair and could extrapolate what was needed. Some of the materials needed may take a while to find but he was sure they should be attainable.
Soon Adaline came out of her trance and all 3 adults ate a meal together before piling into bed and falling to sleep.
It had been a very long day.