Snow 16, 802 ?

I am falling through the darkness. There is no direction but I can feel the wind buffeting me. I sense I am not alone. The telepathic bond that Jaden cast is still with me. A stunning blow slams against my body. I do not know how long I was out, a few seconds perhaps. But I have stopped, wood against my face. I look up with a startle, have we been returned as promised? Yes. I see Tharny but when are we, how long have we been gone? A voice bellows from above. It is Ezekial calling out to the demand Grestevious looking just as we left them almost a week ago.

“Get rid of them we had a deal.”

“I did but they somehow retuned.”

“Well send them back.”

“I can not for I can only send them to somewhere I exist and my existence here will end in but a few seconds.”

With that it seemed that Ezekial was torn apart by something but I do not understand by what.

A moment later I heard the familiar voice of Fara. But it was not the soothing tone I was familiar with. It was booming. Anger enveloped her, “How dare you defile the bawn with your presents. I control this place. You are fools to think you can do what you wish here.” As she spoke the winds cried with her words. A storm like I have never seen grew from nowhere encompassed Grestevious and the other ships. Stones and debris pounded everything in sight. Through the flying wreckage I could barely see. The winds seemed to be increasing and the dust cloud tightening around the dark winged shape. As the storm developed into a tight whirlwind I could see the demon fighting it, but then a yardarm drove through its chest and I saw a wing torn away. A wall of water rose in front of me and envelops the ship blocked my view. I had to turn away, using all my strength just to cling to the ship. I could hear Tharny calling out to the crew, calling out to the elementals, calling for assistance from all he could reach. Waves continue crashing over the ship. It was being torn apart piece by piece. If the storm does not quell we will surely be destroyed. Thoughts of the Moonwind flood my conciseness. I am helpless, I cannot speak due to the winds, I cannot move for all my strength am using to just cling to this fragile rigging.

As suddenly as it started the wind ended. The cold sun striking my face through the quickly dispersing clouds brings my mind to the present. I here Stephen’s song on the air giving all a renewed energy. As I look around I am amazed that the ship is still afloat. The sails and rigging has been stripped away and all that is left on deck seems to be the crew. Large holes pepper the siding and debris is scattered to the horizon. There is no

sign of Grestevious or the other ships. As I scan the waters for life I see a flash of color. It is Fara’s cloak floating in the now gentle waves. Telepathically I alert the others as I run and leap into the air, taking wing as a large eagle, hoping the sharper sight would help my search for survivors. I see Raven diving into the water. From my vantage I can see her form changing as she arcs below the waves and emerges as a sleek dolphin rising out of the water in a graceful leap. As I swoop down to retrieve the robes I am horrified to find Fara floating face down beneath them. I grab the robes and try and tow her as I fly with all my strength toward Raven. As we bring her aboard the ship I am relieved she is still alive. Raven and Stephen heal what wounds they can but she remains unconscious, seemingly drained of the life energy she used to call the maelstrom. We believe that with time she will recover.

As Tharny assesses the damage he informs us it will take over a day to reach Bliss. We do what we can to assist him and the crew. After we get underway we ask Tharny what happened while we were gone. He seemed surprised and said you went somewhere? All I saw was that some of you were on the other ship and then you were back here. But I do see that your clothing has changed. He excuses himself saying he needs to get back to the ship.

Fara finally awoke that evening. She was very weak but we took the time to tell her the story of the Xcrawl. She informed us that Grestevious has not been killed. His form in this existence has been destroyed but he can return, it will take time and a lot of effort and prayer my his supporters.

Fara leaves us before we arrive I port. What repercussions of the Blackcloaks visit await us back in Bliss.

Scribed by BlackHawk Fox