Journal

The morning after making their escape from the Old Halls, the damaged skyship made its getaway across the snow-topped mountains. Cold air and snow blew through the damaged hull. Jericho did his best to steer the ship, avoiding the mountain peaks in the dark while Adelka tended to Rumbelow, lying injured in his hammock.

By the time morning came, and seeing the smoke from an isolated cottage, Jericho had moored the ship in the shelter of a mountainside. He and Sullivan explained that the ship needed some repairs before they could get any further: Work was needed to repair the holes in the hull. There were some materials aboard, but their tools had been lost during the crash. After some discussion Mile and Rivka had set off to find the cottage, and see if they could get some tools to make the repairs.

So it was that Mile and Rivka found themselves trudging through the snow on a wooded mountainside, with snow gently falling and a cold breeze on their faces. Before long they arrived at the woodcutter's cottage, spotting a youth working in the yard. Making their approach, Mile noticed a tripwire with a bell attached, which he carefully avoided, but hailed the youth in a friendly manner as they approached.

Introducing themselves they soon realised that the youth they had taken to be a boy, was in fact a slight girl with short boyish hair, named Liselotte. While Rivka bluntly commented on her boyish appearance, Mile smoothed things over and soon Liselotte introduced them to her uncle, an aging but still strong woodcutter.

After appraising the newcomers, the woodcutter agreed to lend them his tools if they first helped with some tasks. Mile and Rivka helped move lumber in the yard, and clear snow from the roof, culminating in Mile accidentally sweeping a thick layer of snow from the roof onto Rivka's head. As Rivka's outburst subsided, the woodcutter invited them into his cabin to share some warm stew and take the tools he had promised.

They were not long settled when their solitude was disturbed. An alarm bell signified the approach of intruders, and this time they were a threat. A column of Iron Crown soldiers approached from the east: Snow Raiders, but also elite Storm Raiders, under the command of Lady Melissa. Bidding them make haste, the woodcutter thrust a pouch of coin and a letter into Mile's hands, securing Mile's promise to take Liselotte to the witch Expedora, in the town of Southwatch. As the party escaped through a back window, the woodcutter remained, promising to follow behind.

So it was that Mile, Rivka and Liselotte escaped through the trees. Pausing on the hillside to look back, they saw the woodcutter emerge from the cottage one last time, but this time he stood tall, shoulders back, wearing a bright suit of armour and wielding a sword. This cottage was the secluded home of Corvus Septimus Meridius, last survivor of the Knights Meridian, and he prepared to make his last stand.

The advancing soldiers of the Iron Crown hesitated briefly, before Lady Melissa urged them on, demanding that they 'find the girl'. Advancing with renewed confidence they were met with the flashing steel of Corvus' blade, as he cut a swathe through their ranks, every moment buying time for Liselotte's escape. Finally, as he cut his way towards Lady Melissa, and an expression of growing alarm spread across her face, his path was blocked by a fearsome Captain of the Storm Raiders. It was here that he fell, surrounded, still bringing down his enemies left and right, while his young ward Liselotte fled into the snow.

By early afternoon the Peregrine Nation had lifted once more into the cold mountain air. Below them, the snow-choked forests and ravines fell away in steep, unforgiving lines, while far behind, barely visible against the pale sky, an Iron Crown skyship lingered at the edge of sight. It did not close the distance. Corvus Septimus Meridius had bought them a priceless headstart.

Jericho took the helm, guiding the damaged vessel toward the broken canyons ahead. Spotting two paths, Mile directed Jericho towards the lower channel where flurries of snow indicated a wind channel that would hasten their escape. The sunken canyon yawned before them, its downdrafts treacherous and unpredictable, and at first the ship shuddered badly as the port wing caught the canyon wall. Jericho faltered, fighting the wheel as the Peregrine Nation dipped alarmingly low. Mile remained beside him, calm and steady, speaking with quiet assurance. Jericho’s hands steadied, his confidence grew, and although the wing took further damage, the ship emerged battered but still flying.

On board the mood was tense but controlled. Liselotte stayed close to the bulkhead in the bow, silent and watchful. As the Peregrine Nation plunged into an even narrower and darker set of wind-carved tunnels, violent turbulence rocked the ship, and in a sudden lurch Liselotte vanished through an open deck hatch. For a moment there was panic, but Adelka was already moving, heading below without hesitation. She returned moments later with Liselotte shaken but unharmed. Liselotte’s cheeks burned with embarrassment as she brushed herself off, but when she caught Mile’s eye his brief nod and reassuring glance were enough to reassure her; she straightened, said nothing, and remained on her feet thereafter.

Night fell swiftly among the snowy peaks. Sullivan moved through the ship lighting lanterns as the last light drained from the sky, and with it went the final signs of pursuit. The Iron Crown ship was gone at last. Relief settled over the Peregrine Nation. They were too tired to celebrate, but enjoyed the quieter certainty that, for now, they had escaped.

As the skyship passed through a huge vaulted arch of rock they were soon tested again. Wind dragons stirred around the vessel, and the wind they brought seized the ship without warning. The Peregrine Nation was hurled into a violent vertical spiral. Jericho was thrown clear of the wheel, Mile slammed against the rail, and Adelka tumbled onto Rumbelow where he lay reclining on the deck: For a moment the ship seemed lost.

Mile seized the wheel as the world spun around him. Bracing himself, he fought the spiralling winds, guiding the wounded ship back into something resembling controlled flight. Slowly the spinning slowed, and the wind dragons passed on, leaving the Peregrine Nation damaged, but intact.

They limped onward into the basin beyond, the mountains opening at last into broader skies. Rivka, thoroughly unimpressed by flight at the best of times, leaned over the rail and was violently sick into the void below, cursing the sky between retches. Adelka collected herself and climbed up off Rumbelow (perhaps lingering a moment longer than necessary). By the time the air finally smoothed and the stars wheeled quietly overhead, the Peregrine Nation flew on alone, with the Riverlands laid out like a living map on the horizon ahead.

The Peregrine Nation came in low over the marshes of the Riverlands, and settled gently by the Temple's approach causeway. The last night beyond the mountains had finally allowed Mile the chance for a deep, restful sleep: He was still sore, but mending. He descended to the ground and led the way to the Temple's entrance, where he surrendered his weapons to the Maiden Guards without fuss, and proceeded inside.

Rumbelow was helped along a short distance behind, Adelka and Sullivan bracing him between them. Mile decided that he had earned some luxury and booked a suite of comfortable rooms at the Temple, for one night to begin with, as they determined how long the skyship repairs would take. Entering the Temple's interior, The West Hall soon opened out before them, a place of sanctuary with fine tapestries, pale stone and dancing coloured light. Rumbelow claimed his place on an ornate marble bench where he reclined and admired the view with theatrical dedication, under Adelka's stern and suspicious gaze. As Mile began to explore, Sullivan slipped away to speak with the clerics about repairs.

In the gallery, Mile found Lawson and tipped him a few coin to smooth their conversation. Rumours flowed easily: the Iron Crown was building something dangerous and vast; a new weapon meant to tip the balance. Their grip had not yet reached the Western Lands - Prince Gallen of Nightfall had refused to concede, even as a prisoner - but a new weapon might change that. Then came more news: Grimshaw was alive. Mile frowned in concern, but although this rumour had been corroborated by a number of sightings, no more details were forthcoming.

Descending again, Mile made a few purchases from a traveling merchant - practical comforts and small indulgences. One item (an exotic woodblock scroll) was described as particularly desirable to men of culture, and was handed over discreetly, protected from observation by a fine paper wrapping. 

Enquiring with a priestess, Mile learned of the Temple’s services and remedies. He chose rest over paid healing, and his attention then turned to the services of the stylist, who had her own corner in the north gallery. Mile submitted to the strange and quirky attentions of the stylist, who made quick measurements with a tape, and asked curious questions. He ordered a new outfit in fine fabric and was told it would be ready tomorrow.

Soon afterwards, Jericho wandered out toward the pools. Mile followed and watched the warm steam drift across the Temple grounds, before deciding he would return in the morning. A brief conversation with a tall foreign Ronin yielded little more than solemn nonsense, so Mile found Sullivan as the mid-afternoon sun slanted through the stained-glass windows and cast a rainbow of colours across the floor. The verdict: Two or three days for the ship to be repaired.

Heading up to his suite Mile took a moment to lie down, intending only to rest his eyes, and he was asleep almost at once. The long fatigue of the journey took hold as the warm mists and murmuring of the waters drew Mile into a deep slumber.