PM to join The Wreckage Of Lives (Midnight Gem Crew & Kreig)

[Rene Rafar]

Ren had never really been close to any of the ships though she had seen them from a distance down in the harbor in fact this was the first time she had been on one. She looked around just taking in the sight while Kynier was checking to see if it was safe for the rest of them to continue on. Short time later he returned giving them the go ahead to come down in the hull.

Down in the hull of the ship Ren looked around feeling very uneasy and not knowing why. She watched both Kelski and Kynier looking over a huge stone slab speaking an odd language not paying to much to it she slowly let her eyes wonder over the hull to see if anything would be interesting she could let the others know about.

Just then out of the corner of her eye she saw a white blurry shape pass through the outside wall of the ship as it glided over the floor and pass through the other side of the ship. Shaking she looked around to see if any one else had seen what she just had or did she imagine it. Shaking herself to clear her head just in time for both Kelski and Kynier informing them what they had found out about the slab instead of calming her nerves it just heightened them.

Nervously she looked at each one of them before saying "I think I'd like go back up to the main deck if everyone is done down here? I don't like how it feels. Its really creepy down here." Following other up the others Ren climbed the stairs quickly not wanting to be down in the dark dank smelling hull any longer or chance seeing that white blur again.

Once they reached the main deck again Ren let out a big sigh of relief before she broke off from the group to check out the main mast of the ship. Carefully running her hand over the smooth wood of the huge mast she wondered how they got such a large tree shaped and placed here on the ship in the first place.

From the mast Ren made her way over to the rope netting attached to part of the mast towering above her. Testing the netting with her hands before placing a foot on to it . Seeing that it was going to hold her weight she started to climb up to the round look out at the top of the mast. Looking into the basket she got a smug look on her face before she climbed in to it. Now that she was up there she could see out over the harbor and parts of the city depending on where she stood in the look out. She was enjoying the view from her perch high above the others. She could see them exploring the different parts of the ship and was content for the time to just watch them.

[Kreig Messer]

Much like Ren, and perhaps the rest, Kreig felt unnerved by the ship. For him it was the knowledge that it was abandoned that unnerved him most, while disuse certainly showed it effect on the ship Kreig reckoned that the ship itself was rather seaworthy still. Few would willingly abandon a ship in such a state, and the assumed cause of it being physically present only added to the creepy factor.

What came after didn’t really help any, seeing Kelski converse in a strange tongue with shadows that seemingly didn’t speak back, but as her facial expression shifted it was clear she was receiving answers. Was her goddess speaking through these shadows? Or were the shadows truly speaking to her and Kreig could only hear but not understand one end of a conversation.

It made him uneasy to say the least, perspiration gathering in his hands as he gripped and relaxed his fists in nervous anticipation. The conversation went forth and presumably back, and ultimately Kreig eyed Kelski nervously as she turned to their group and spoke of what transpired.

It was… heavy to say the least, magic being part of this was an obvious conclusion, but he’d not expect the Daggerhands. And there was two more of these slabs somewhere? These mysterious objects who’s purpose was unknown but… caused anxiety, dread, all the same? And that others visited as well?

And Kyn added his own two copper which only reinforced Kelski’s knowledge. The brawler removed his hat and ran a hand through his hair before replacing it. Ultimately it painted a grim picture “Well…. I dunno what to say to that” And other than those words he didn’t add anything, for what could he add?

When Kyn said he wished to explore one last place on the ship, Kreig nodded “If yer wantin’ to do yer snoopin’, I’ll be watchin’ on deck an’ lookout for unwanted guests, reckon if ya need any help ya’d jus’ call” He reasoned, for there was no physical danger so far and Kreig assumed that if such danger hadn’t appeared yet, well he was better standing topside and watching for danger.

He also felt that he concurred with Ren’s desire to be out of this hole and be up above. So he followed Kynier upside, but did not follow him to the captain’s quarters. No instead his eyes scanned the dock and the city behind, because if there was a physical threat… it would likely come from there.

“Watch yer step, lass” He called out to Ren, who’d decided to take the bird’s eye view climbing upon the mast to the crows nest, then withheld a sigh as he saw the benefits of it though…. She’d see far more than any of them without Kel going ‘bird’ on them. Reaching behind him he grabbed for his Crossbow and unhooked it from the harness, he readied the weapon with a bolt and watched the horizon…. Better safe than sorry in the end


x

[Kelski]

.

Kelski was worried about Ren and Krieg’s unease. She wasn’t exactly comfortable herself, but the presence of the shadows comforted her somewhat and made her aware that Akajia’s hand was in everything. There was a connection to her Goddess in the darkness that she never really minded. And the fact that Kynier was here somewhat comforted her. She hadn’t seen him for awhile and really wasn’t sure what he did with his time, but he had followed through and shown up to go with them on the tour.

While they were with the slab, everything was as Kynier had described and even the names were mentioned and reappeared. However, there was no damaging sight like Kynier had described where he lost his sense of touch for most of the season. She was glad for that and when the shadows suggested they search the Captain’s quarters, Kelski was more than happy to oblige. She trailed after the others, taking up the rear, as Kynier lead them through the ship. Crossing the deck, they lost Ren to climbing the mast and Kreig to what looked like unobtrusively watching over Ren. At least he was willing to be a lookout, and for that Kelski was grateful. She would indeed call to him if anything was needed.

So when the pair of Nightstalkers crossed to the Captain’s Quarters and the marked gently pushed open the door, Kelski was at his back, giving a side profile so Kynier could flee if he needed to unblocked by her presence but with his back completely protected by the Favored behind him. She heard the words immediately, before seeing the man himself, and softly cursed under her breath.

She peeked her head around Kynier, got a good look at the old man, and shook her head. “Kynier, stay clear of him. He looks harmless but he isn’t. He’s a mage that can throw fire… and is completely crazy. A friend of mine talked to him once at the Dust Beds and he decided that friend was his dead wife Espalia. I think he has the crazed thing mages get… because he followed Carus around for a whole season.” Kelski said softly, her voice almost breathless. She also spoke in Makath, to further confuse the old man.

Lightfooted, she encouraged Kynier to pad past him where she followed, picking the opposite side of the Cabin to search from where the mage picked to look. A deep now familiar voice greeted her. “Favored… you and the Marked came. You are right about the mage. His brain is not itself. He lives in the past.” The deep voice said, whispering to Kelski causing her to nod.

“I’ve met him before… Shadow.” Kelski said softly, padding closer to where the lurker dwelled. The quarters were full of shadows, but this one stood out because it was the one that spoke to her in the deep hull. “Do you have a name?” She asked carefully, her eyes sweeping the room, keeping a close watch on what Kynier was doing. She also watched the old man, but didn’t approach him or speak to him. She didn’t want what happened to Carus. The old man had followed him around for half a season, thinking Carus was his dead wife.

“Kadric.” The shadow said softly. “Use your eyes here Kelvic. There are many things to see.” Kadric said, as Kelski swung the length of the room. She walked lightfooted, avoiding where Kynier was standing at the old man in the bunk, and really looked. The quarters had standard things, like a dresser and a closet, but there was also a once-fancy wet bar and a large table that sat empty. Kelski trailed her fingers across the table and kept scanning, shifting her eagle-like vision in and out of her macro-and micro vision, looking for clues as to why the shadows would want them here.

Several chests were opened, gently looked through, and closed… all contents standard and mundane things. And then she passed a wall, knocking gently on the wood, until the sound changed and rang hollow. Kelski paused, tilted her head, and got a closer look. It was the opposite where the closet was – a closet that stood empty – and yet the wood still jutted out as if a closet should be there.

It took Kelski moments to see the locking mechanism, depress it as a knot of wood, and to swing the door open. It was a sort of weapons locker, built exactly like the closet had been but concealed. There were things in it, weapons, bags, gear of all sorts. Kelski blinked as she felt Kadric grow closer. “Select one, Favored… there’s one in there for you.” It said. She reached in, blindly, and pulled forth a black backpack trimmed in silver. It was like her own, only nicer without the worn bindings and straps, and felt incredibly light in her hands, far lighter than her own backpack.

“Kynier…” She said quietly. “Come look at this.” She said, gesturing to the hidden cabinet. She didn’t touch the weapons, but something else besides the backpack caught her eye. In the bottom of the cabinet sat a beat up violin case. She recognized it from hanging out with Mosa and her playing. Kelski reached in, carefully grabbed it, and slide the instrument case free. From the weight it felt loaded, so the Kelvic unsnapped its bindings and opened the case, looking in. A beautiful wooden violin made of dark dark wood rested in velvet. She touched it gingerly, almost reverently, and pulled the case free along with the backpack.

Curious but not greedy, the Kelvic backed up and then quietly let Kynier look. When he’d done so, if he wanted too…. Kelski tip toed to the door, gestured at Kreig and Ren and said… “There’s a virtual treasure trove of weapons and items in here. Come see….” She said, her hands clutching the violin and backpack she’d already found.

[Kynier]

Only his fellow Nightstalker had decided to follow him into the captain’s quarters. Kynier felt it was better that way. The shadows were the ones to have directed them here, so it was only fitting that the Nightstalkers checked the area alone. But when seeing the back of the old man lying on the bed, whispered and sobbing to himself, Kynier immediately wondered if the old man was the reason they had come up here. Did the man have something that was hidden for them to find? Or did this man hide something?

Kelski spoke in his ear from behind in their tongue. So there was yet another mage in Sunberth. One with Reimancy at the very least. At the sound of the kelvic’s description, Kynier’s body tensed. His open hand reached into his pocket and retrieved the folded parchment with the Shielding infused Sigil he had made earlier that day. The mage also reached inward for his djed, skipping the meditative trance he favored entering. The pool of power at his soulcore was not as animated as he would’ve expected, having come back to the ship. Syphoning a portion of his power, Kynier brought the djed to his eyes for Auristics, and opened his Sight.

As Kelski brushed passed him, Kynier kept his gaze on the man on the bed. The mage’s weight shifted onto the balls of his feet as he padded after the Favored. While she conversed with the shadow that had come from the cargo hold, Kadric, Kynier peered around the room at the many aura’s that were forming. None of them were worth his focus, and he didn’t want to channel his Sight on the old mage either. With his Auristics making him susceptible to the emotions of others, Kynier decided he didn’t want to experience the delirium of a broken psyche and the emotions involved with that.

At the sound of light knocking, Kynier twisted his neck around to see the source. Kelski was testing the wooden boards. Kynier stepped between her and the mage and watched the old man. The mist of the man’s aura appeared heavily, frayed. Like an old article of clothing, it was faded in color with what seemed like several fissures and tears running through the fabric of his aura. Kynier had never seen an aura of someone who had overgiven to madness. While Kynier had never actually looked upon Doler in this way, he suspected that the wizard’s aura would be similar. There was no way to look upon his own aura. And Kynier wondered if he was forming any of those fissures himself.

At the sound of his name from Kelski, Kynier turned around partially. She had found a hidden compartment and gestured him over to see. Stepping quietly he came up behind her and peered over her shoulder. There were several items packed into the space and his Auristics noted a few auras of unusual potency. The most immediate ones he noted where three of the black packs with silver trim, including the one Kelski held. Kynier watched as she opened an instrument case. The dark violin had no magical quality yet was still very appealing to the eye. Kelski’s aura was bright with shadow accents, and it pulsed in brightness at the sight of the violin. Without needing to focus his Auristics on her, he could tell that she liked the item very much.

The Sight brought him back to the packs. Eyes narrowing, he focused on one that still sat in the compartment, waiting to be claimed. The dark aura was unusual. It emanated out, but then circled back in on itself, creating a never ending motion. It was magical in nature. Focusing on it Kynier felt a strange duality of being empty and full at once. Hunger for something not necessarily food or water radiated throughout his being. The magic was very distinguishable. Voiding. When Kelski allowed him he stepped in and lifted the pack. It felt nearly weightless.

Makath rolled from his tongue softly. “These packs, they’re infused with magic.” Kynier undid the buckle that kept it sealed and opened it to peer inside. Darkness was all he saw. Sliding his weapon back into its sheath, Kynier cautiously reached into the pack with a hand which disappeared from view. Auristics intensified the ripple of magic across his skin making his spine shiver for an instant. Kynier felt several things along the bottom, coins. Taking a fistful he brought his hand back and saw that he held a fistful of gold mizas. “It isn’t empty, but it feels empty until I reach inside,” he commented aloud for Kelski to hear. Kynier dropped the coins and watched them disappear from sight and Sight.

Kynier looked back to the inside of the compartment. There was only one other magical pack. It seemed fitting to give it to Kreig as some form of payment for accompanying them. But the man was in full battle regalia. He wouldn’t be able to sneak past and not wake the old mage… probably. So Kynier grabbed it for him and held both packs with one hand. The mage was about to turn away when another aura caught his eye. One that was constantly shifting between gold, silver, red, and black at a rather peculiar pace. It was a short sword made from Cold Iron. The guard was ornate with engravings to resemble the night sky with a black painted rim. The handle was just as opulent with a very dark velvet wrap and a spiraling red thread that looked like it had been made from a ruby.

Slowly Kynier unsheathed the blade to see the signature blue tinted metal similar to his own. That similarity ended quickly as the blade’s color changed to a slightly luminescent silver, then gold, ruby red, black, back to its natural tint, and then again to ruby red. The pattern of the color switch was erratic and constantly changing. Kynier focused on the multicolored aura of the blade. Traces of hypnotism were felt, and a name whispered in his mind. Glister. An absent minded smile came to his lips.

The mage ceased the flow of djed and his Sight closed. Kynier sheathed Glister and added the pack he intended to claim to the same hand holding his new weapon. Part of him felt sorry that there was no fourth magical pack for Rene, but fate could only be so kind. Kynier accompanied Kelski out of the captain’s quarters, keeping a wary eye on the mad resident that had remained ignorant of their presence. As they stepped out onto the deck, Kynier smiled at Kelski from behind as she held up the pack and violin case in a sort of victory pose.

“Kreig.” He said loudly enough to get the man’s attention. When the prize fighter looked over Kynier tossed him the third and final magical pack. “It’s infused with magic, to feel weightless no matter how much you put inside.” Kynier’s eyes wandered up to see Rene in the crow’s nest of the ship. Slinging his new pack over his shoulder he called up to the other kelvic. “Sorry Ren. There’s a fourth pack, but it isn’t infused with the magic. There are other items as well you can claim if you desire. But do so quietly. There’s,” His gaze turned to Kelski, “an old man resting in the captain’s quarters that would be best left unaware of our presence.”

Kynier still didn’t know Kreig’s stance on mages, nor Rene’s for that matter. She seemed accepting enough that he wasn’t worried about her turning violent like many of the citizens. But the Son of Sunberth… Kynier didn’t know the old mage but didn’t wish to cause someone to try and slit his throat as he slept.

Item's Claimed and Ledger Changes :

Amulet of Desire
Ring of the Black Mouse
Backpack of Voiding
Glister (-255gm)
+1,500gm from Weekend Writing Challenge

Boxcode credit goes to Nellie!

[Rene Rafar]

From her perch up in the crows nest Ren was enjoying the view until a seagull landed half way out on the starboard side of the main sail. Eyeing the bird with mischief in her eyes Ren slowly climbed up to the main sail pausing while watching the bird's reaction for any sign it had spotted her.

When it didn't so much as ruffle a feather she once again moved slowly a long the sail until she was just about to catch it when Kelski called out to her and Kreig. At the sound of the human voice the bird flew off. "

Shyke!" She cursed, "Almost had it!" Sighing she looked down at Her friend "What was that Kel? Did I hear you correctly that you had found some neat stuff?" Before Keski could answer Kynier came out as well carrying his items as well as something for Kreig. With a little regret in his voice he told her about the other items but there wasn't any other magic items he could see.

Ren started making her way back down to the deck so her friend didn't have to raise her voice again. "Can I see what you got?" She asked with curiosity. "That's alright Kynier, thank you for looking though. You said there was an old man here on the ship? Where the stash of items are? Well I don't think I really need anything form this ship. Its not to bad being above deck or higher but down in the haul was down right spooky." Looking around before asking, "If everyone is done could we be going soon? I don't want to rush anyone but that big stone down below gave me the creeps." Blushing with embarrassment as she remembered the feeling she had when they were all down in the dark haul.

[Kreig Messer]

TheSon of Sunbirth caught the magical pack easy enough, being weightless pretty much meant he wouldn’t be pushed off balance by the thing. It was a brown colored thing, the same tint as leather and felt like it too. ‘ Huh, weightless no matter how much I be puttin’ innit? ” Kreig wasn’t an idiot, he knew the value of such a thing. Still he’d had to test the fact at some point, like say how much he could put in it. Weight is one thing but what if it ran out of space?

He looked at Kynier with a slight smirk and gave a nod “Much appreciate this thing ‘ere then” He said in a friendly enough tone. Still, he had to feel wary…. It was a magical item, he’d never had one before and well…. What if something went wrong? Like suddenly whatever that made it so weightless gave it weight and he oh so happened put a bunch of heavy stones and it decided then and there to give out on him? Making him fall on his back and hardly able to move.

In addition to that he would have to be warry on how he used in front of others. He may have a tolerance for magic and technically being a mage himself meant by default he sort of had to, but the ‘Berther was well aware how his kinsman would react.

Oh yes, he didn’t want to get lynched because of a bag.

Grabbing it in his other hand, he tiled his head to Renee “ I’m supposin’ I agree with Renee though ‘bout leavin’, but I ain’t mindin’ to stay longer if ya all are wantin’ to be snoopin’ still.” It was ultimately up to the duo themselves to decide really, they’re the ones good at finding things out after all.

x

[Kelski]

.

Kelski nodded to Ren and Kreig's wishes to leave. She'd taken the time to thoroughly search the cabin being careful around the crazy sleeping mage while Kynier had looked through the secret cache. Knocking on wood, opening drawers and cupboards, resulted in nothing being found. Kelski had been looking for a ships log or even a captain's log but there was nothing. She'd even questioned Kadric more, but the shadow had simply said the ship belonged to the Daggerhands, was a trade vessel, and hadn't been anywhere special. It didn't seem to know where the slab came from or how it got into the hold. Kelski had kept up, not willing to give up, until even Kynier seemed to agree with Ren and Kreig.

Why had Akajia sent her here? Was it just for the things in the cache or was it for more? She wanted to be thorough and not miss anything. But she couldn't think of anything else to do - anything to search for or information to find. She didn't want go near the sleeping mage, but was he a clue? The Kelvic didn't think so but she was not someone who always understood humans nor the crazy that mages damaged by their djed could descend into. Kelski stood on the deck and surveyed the ship looking for the bigger picture. There were three slabs, the Daggerhands were thoroughly involved, and the torture doctor downtown was connected. Somehow Kynier's employer was involved too. Kelski glanced at Kreig and Ren, wondering how they could be so distance from what Kelski felt was foreshadowing all around.

Clearing her head, the Kelvic bowed her head and reached inside, sending out a prayer to Akajia... a sign? A vision? Even just a word... did the Goddess want more from her? She'd sent Kelski here... but why?

An overwhelming sensation filled her then... and even though it was daylight she felt the shadows around her and knew that somehow her presence comforted them. Kelski was a caregiver. Everyone here, perhaps save Kreig, had taken comfort or shelter from her at one time or another. It was one of her strongest urges as a Kelvic and something she was good at.

With a startled look on her face, Kelski tilted her head, dropped the pack and violin case near Ren for her to watch them, and retreated back to the hold. She gracefully raced back down the stairs with the shadows swirling around her and entered the room with the slab in it again. She paused before it, all the things that had been said about it crossing her mind. There was a whirlwind of emotion in her mind as she dropped to her knees before it. Reaching out, Kelski laid her hands on it. She gripped the stone with her jeweler's touch and reached out to it with her mind white her voice spoke out loud.

"I'm sorry this has happened to you. I'm sorry you are bound here. We came to help. We came to see what could be done. You are not alone, there are people here, even in this cesspool of a city that care a great deal and want to set things that are wrongs to rights. We will help you if we can. All of us. But we need more information. We need to know how to help and what to do if there is in fact anything we can do. We might look weak, not made of stone as you are, but we can move about, we can manipulate things, and several of us know magic. I'm so sorry about all of this... and whatever plans the Daggerhand have for you or your kind. Are you missing others? We know that there are at least two more of you here somewhere, though we don't know where. We are going to try and find out though... so if you know anything or there is anything we can do to help... we are listening." She said softly, out loud, while her hands stroked the stone, admiring its qualities and feeling its strengths and merits as only a jeweler could.

She stayed there kneeling before it, whispering comfort, for a long long time.

[Regime]

They came mostly at night. Mostly. That was all the slab knew about the wicked people that hurt it.

And yet harm was its reason to live. It had an enemy, a mission to do. But after so long it had lost its way, it did not know if it wanted to fight. As Kelski’s hand gently stroked the Slab, it became aware of itself for a fraction of a moment. A display of kindness meant everything to pariahs.

The Kelvic would find herself no longer witnessing the world through her own eyes. Her vision would become that of the force perspective of the slab where it laid. To all others on the ship, they would feel nothing. But the Kelvic would feel a pulse of djed surging from the slab like a cool breeze. If the others on the ship were to find her in the cargohold, they would just see her stroking the Slab.

A cacophony of intense fighting would fill Kelski’s mind as the sight of the ship began to melt away into that of a palatial chamber. She became the Slab as it laid on an immaculate table covered in magical devices long since lost to the Valterrian.

“Ivander, did you know!”

The booming voice of a man wielding a staff shouted towards another.

“No, not all of it. I only knew of the tests! The efforts to improve the mines… so I helped him work on his prototypes!” A human wearing long blue robes argued back in defense. The man wielding the staff glanced over to Slab-Kelski, his eyes full of rage. “I do not have time for you, I need to go stop him. Bury those things, deep. Toss that one into the sea, and keep them all apart. That amount of unstable djed kept in one place is dangerous!”

The mage with the staff walked towards the table to stare at the slab, the disdain and betrayal in his eyes palpable. Kelski could now tell that the man was of a dark skinned heritage, most likely from the Deserts of Eyktol due to his attire. "Search the city, you've no idea how many Rupert's spread throughout Sunberth. I need to get to Treval."

The memories faded into a rush of infinity.

Memories of torment and endless waiting. Memories lamenting the cold water against its stone. Memories of water followed by the caress of intense djed surging through the ocean embracing it as the world seemed to break around it. The power the Slab already contained tripling as it absorbed so much more... Then the touch of Moonlight.

Memories of men of the Daggerhand pulling the Slab onto the ship from where it was discovered. The emotions of the fear it felt in the presence of an imposing Masked Person who would give it purpose again, and the pain of torture at the hands of a Madman. When the Nightstalker's vision returned to the present, she would know one secret above all things.

The third of the three Slabs remained to this day some type of living container of power made to be used as a weapon.

[Kynier]

He was setting his new weapon in his pack while both Rene and Kreig voiced their desires to leave the vessel. The ship had an unnerving presence to it, even without heightened sensitivity to djed. So Kynier more than understood their reasoning. The venture had been a lot more productive than his first one and he had more to show for it. It never really felt like Ovek gave the mage any favors in his life, so Kynier never really knew what it was like to have good luck. Today seemed like a day of good luck. No one had been harmed and Kelski had made progress with fulfilling their goddess’ wishes.

So why did she have that expression? The sea eagle appeared perplexed by something that she didn’t give voice to. Kynier watched half expecting her to express what was on her mind. For a time she was silent until her eyes filled with realization. When she dropped the pack at Rene’s feet without a word Kynier arched an eyebrow. Then he noticed the shadows that had gathered around her just before she took off. Kelski’s path took her back down below deck. Something heavier than a rock but lighter than a boulder weighed down in his gut.

Kynier dropped the magic pack on the deck as well and went after her, “Kelski! Wait!” The mage bent low and set his hands on the rim of the hatch then made a small hop to leap down, bypassing the need for the ladder. She was going to the only place worth going, the cargo hold. Kynier muttered the incantation he learned long ago for bringing is Auristics to life. It didn’t feel like he had enough time to calmly reach for djed. Magic rushed to his eyes in a sudden burst, making them sting as the Sight opened.

When his feet came to a stop the mage was less than ten feet behind her. When the urge to question what she was going came he heard what she was saying. His brow furrowed together in thought. Did she have the same thought he had? That the stone maybe sentient? The way she spoke portrayed that she did. Kynier watched the murky aura shift at her touch. Kynier’s hand reached into his pocket for the scroll he made earlier. Kelski possessed no magic, she perhaps it wouldn’t respond to her. That was a weak theory, as he didn’t know if Stiletto or Petricious had magic.

When the murky aura turned active Kynier lunged forward and reached for her. “No!” The djed pulsed and coursed over her body. By the time his hand reached her, Kelski’s aura had already been engulfed the artifact. So when his hand toucher her shoulder the power of the slab burned at his flesh. Kynier cried out in pain and withdrew his hand instinctually. “No!” he snarled. Though she was still touching the stone, caressing its surface even, Kynier knew he needed to break the connection between them. Who knows what sort of harm that raw power could do to her?

Just from looking at it too much he lost his sense of touch for twenty days. What would she lose by being engulfed?

Kynier unfolded the scroll and held it up before him with both hands. The sigil glyphs were facing away from him, towards Kelski. “Tercopt!” he shouted to activate the trigger. The shielding magic was released and obeyed his mental guidance for placement. Kynier willed the weave of djed to establish itself between Kelski and the slab. His sight allowed him to watch the magic take form and position itself. But before the weave could solidify the artifact seemed to respond in kind. It surged with intensity as the shield formed and crashed right through it as though it had never been there.

The burst of power rippled out with a shockwave. One strong enough to take Kynier off his feet and throw him against the interior of the ship’s hull. His back crashed against the wood first and the back of his head followed suit. The mage’s skull surged with pain and his vision darkened. Kynier was already unconscious before he fell into a heap face down on the floor.

Boxcode credit goes to Nellie!

[Rene Rafar]

Ren watch first Kelski set her stuff at her feet before she made her way back down below deck followed closely by Kynier who also just dropped his stuff at her feet as well calling after Kelski.

Looking over at Kreig then at the entrance to the hull. "If you wanna go be my guest but I'm not. I'll stay right here. In fact in all honesty I would really like to leave this place but I will not abandon ones I consider friends just on the off chance one or both of them are hurt. That would be the only reason I would venture back down into the belly of the ship."

Ren voice shook slightly. "I don't know what it is about that stone but I really don't like it."