Lyse has never been on a ship like the Nautilus Omega before, and it wasn't exactly the most enjoyable experience. His ride on the ferry, he is sure, measures little to what the open sea has in store for them. At the very least, he hopes that as he leaves the clans, his longtime home, the threat of Talin could vanish as well. It will be difficult, maybe even impossible to track them out at sea. And it'll be hard to surprise them when they are in the open waters. Still, he felt uneasy stepping onto the deck of the Nautilus Omega. He felt refreshed from extensive baths, and yet he fears what stench will follow him when he returns home. And the rocking of the ship was almost unbearable. He had to stay near the rail for the first few hours just to get his bearings, and he wasn't alone. Almost all of their party, save for Gray, had severe sea-sickness as they went further out to sea. The crew had a good laugh at this, and Edlund may have done some form of verbal retaliation, if opening your mouth was an act that could force you to empty your stomach. The crew did not seem like what one might find on a ship like this. Many of them were from the bar, and their appearance had not changed in the slightest. They looked like a group of mercenaries, soldiers, and conmen who just so happen to have a colored theme. The brass accessories of their coats marked them all as the pristine crew of the famed Moxie. But Lyse felt a little less safe in their presence.

Gray and Elena guided their horses to a stable beneath the deck. Even on the Omega, he still could not fathom its immensity. Three ballistae stood at the very front of the deck, two to either side and one at the bow. It was unheard of for such weaponry to be used at sea. Stacks of harpoons and steel ballistae supplied the ammunition it seemed. Between them stood the three massive masts, and the sails currently bound to their frames. Men worked like ants, carrying cargo on board as they prepared to exit. Moxie wasted no time in her role, and people moved by a wave of her hand, and the stomp of her boot. But still, she kept it all light, it seemed. There was a general air of excitement as the sails unfurled, and the anchor was drawn up as if the very preparation of whatever journey they shall embark on was the thrill itself.

They followed her to the helm. There were fewer people coming around it, and even fewer going in or out. Just behind the wheel was a room, there a table had been set up, bolted to the floor of course, with a map of the southern Sea etched into the surface and all kinds of navigation tools sprawled across it. Holding another, similar map was a man sitting and leaning across the table, scratching a patchy beard struggling to become full. He had skin that indicated him of Shi'Ased or any of the southern kingdoms. When they walked in, he smiled at Moxie with an eating grin showing off a few teeth that had been replaced by gold or silver. He had a coat veryk similar to hers, except lacking golden medals on his breast pocket, instead silver ones with red tassels.

"Captain," he gestured out with both hands. "So soon eh? It feels like we just docked at these dusty shores and we're already leaving? You usually like to take your time on the land."

"Well, I'm no fan of hassle, but the contract's a little more than worth the effort. This is Colt, Mira, and George. They'll be our clients for the time being."

Lyse, Celia, and Edlund shook hands with him. He smiled at them mischievously, like he was planning out a way to scam them in a good game of cards.

"This is Blij, he's my first mate and the babysitter for this crew of mine. He is also our navigator, so come to him if you need any clarifications of how the journey's going."

"By the sound of things, he seems more like a captain," Edlund remarked.

Moxie frowned at him. "Who asked you, swine? Anyway, your rooms will be on the second floor, the first ones. Take whatever you like but the accommodations are nonnegotiable. We'll take care of your horses, but that's all the service you can expect out of us. You provide your own food. Are there any more questions?"

"Have you had any trouble in the past with military police of Torlak recently?" Celia asked.

Moxie smirked. "Now what would I be doing that be getting me in that sort of trouble. I'm just doing my job. Maybe an extra, unspecified item appears in my cargo now and again."

"Great, a pirate has just been added to our list," Edlund turned to Lyse. "Tell me, is this not what we imagined Colt?"

"Frankly it doesn't matter what she does with her time," Lyse suggested. "As long as she gets us where she needs to go. It's a pleasure to meet you first mate Blij. I'm Colt, a pleasure"

He smirked and bowed mockingly. "Drop the formalities gentlemen, they are wasted on men like me. Blij is more than enough."

"Very well then," Lyes accepted it. He was not of this maritime culture, but he was fascinated by it. They were a strange dichotomy of fending for yourself and cooperation where it was needed. Moxie's manners towards them said a lot. To each what they require, and from each what they can give in return. And Blij seemed to have a light heart for a sailor, much different in fact. "Captain Moxie, I would like to speak with you once we get settled in at sea to discuss more of our terms. That won't be an issue, will it?"

She shrugged. "Not a problem. We'll be on the sea within the hour when the sun reaches the zenith. You might want to find something sturdy to hold onto."

"Alright then," Celia nodded to her. "I'll leave you to your duties captain. We'll be settled in for the afternoon."

They left. Lyse was a little uncomfortable, but he knew that his comfort mattered very little to what their mission was. From the interactions he has had with this Moxie, he is still a little unsure of what her drive is, the person she was beyond the snark and shielded comments. For him, how much he can gleam depends on the person. Some take only a few conversations, while people like Moxie, whose profession requires a background of lying, are harder to pinpoint. But he can find the drive, wherever it is. And now that he understands the characteristics of the pendant, he does wonder how much of this unique skill is the product of such long exposure to the goddess of wisdom. Based on what his mother commented to him on his combat proficiencies, that is very likely. He will use it for all that it is worth.

"Are you sure about this Lyse?" Edlund asked him quietly. "I mean, can't complain about the travel speed, but getting a bite taken out of us for handling with some pirates doesn't seem worth it in my opinion."

"As long as we stay anonymous, that isn't a problem," Lyse whispered. "Besides, as far as Torlak will be concerned, we will merely be travelers from the Clans and not full-on knights."

"This is a dangerous game, I must admit," Celia told them. "But we have taken far riskier gambles, have we not?"

"Your right I guess," he sighed. "The sooner we can get off this floating tank, the better."

"That won't belong, hopefully," Lyse let out a slow breath. "Depends on where they have taken her."

"We must also stop at Hath to retrieve the pendant of strength from my sister," Celia added. "We kept the pendants close by because we believed that Talin was still in shambles. But the recent events proved otherwise. I have spoken to the surviving members about this, and agreed."

"Wait," Edlund held up a hesitant hand."I know that the king is one. But who else is apart of this little guild again? Out of curiosity of course."

"The Queen of Hath and Remmus, the grandmaster of the mystical arts of Torlak," Celia told him. "The others are dead."

Edlund paused in his steps, making them both turned to see his disturbed and stunned face. He seemed to be debating with something inside that was causing his distress for a few moments. He pointed to Celia first.

"So the queen of Hath is your sister."

Celia nodded.

He pointed to Lyse then. "That makes you related to her as well. A nephew"

Lyse nodded as well, a bit curious in this line of thinking. He pondered for just a few moments more before pointing to himself.

"Does that make me royalty?"

Lyse sighed in disappointment. "Is that all you're worried about?"

"If you're talking about the fact that three leaders of the most prominent empires known to mortals are also associated with this guild of god hunting supernatural warriors, fighting against a dark army of necromantic assassins, then yeah, I feel like jumping off the side of this ship and not coming up. But then again, nothing can surprise me after seeing your mom bend a forest like it was made from straw. With her mind no less."

"Well, that's a good sign," Celia told him. "Cause things only get more daunting from here on out."

"To that notion, we will need to speak with Edlund and Gray as well to continue planning," Lye said. "We've made it this far, but the road is far from clear for us. When we finally find their location, we need to be prepared for anything."

"And we can't rely on much help from other sources," Celia sighed. "My sister and Remmus will give us their pendants but little else in the way of assistance."

Lyse nodded. "We'll discuss more of this later. For now, we rest."

(X)

Moxie closed and locked the door after the three left. She could not believe she had somehow come across the godslayers once again. It's just her luck, in fact. Fate was vengeful, it seemed. Blij chuckled as she turned to him, sitting at the table with the maps and navigational equipment. He took out a pipe, stuffed in some tobacco, and lit it. She frowned at him as he propped his boots onto a bare spot on the table. He had the face and skin of an easterner, but his behavior has always reminded her of home.

"Haven't I told you countless times to not be so casual around me," she asked him. "The crew see me laid back enough as a captain. If my second hand was to treat me as merely another friend, they may look at me the same way."

"Like anyone would make the mistake," he blew a ring out before him. "I do find it a bit curious however that you would agree to take knights into Torlak. We may be dastardly merchants, but we don't bring trouble to us."

"This is a lot more personal than just smuggling some knights."

"You don't have to tell me," he said, close to chortling. "I recognize one of those new faces aboard."

"And what of it," she said defensively. "I don't see how it's any business of yours."

Blij raised his hands, mocking her defensive tone. "Alright, alright. Kid, all I'm asking is for you to take a little more care of yourself. I promised to help you out as your second hand. So, why do knights need a merchant vessel to ship them into Torlak? Or am I going to have o put my faith in the hands of Fate?"

"I . . . I'm sorry, Blij," she sighed. "You know I like to be transparent when things get dicey. But the things we are dealing in at the current moment, I cant tell you, I'm sorry."

She felt a sting in her guts. It seemed even trying to speak about the godslayers brought back something faint. She was not lying. She was often the most transparent with Blij. She has known him longer than almost anyone else on this ship. She hates that she can not even choose to not tell him something. It was one thing that Moxie actually did find her. But for a real godslayer to also be in the same city was unfortunate. But what is she to do, really? Even if she left the circle, she owes a lot to it. Everyone does. No matter how angry she can be, she is ultimately in the debt of these people. A debt she wishes to erase a soon as possible.

She went to her own little chamber, further back near the rear of the ship, and by far the most well kept. Most captains don't give themselves much more comfort than their crew, but she believed it was only fair for the captain of the greatest ship should get the best accommodations that the ship had to offer. A desk sat against the back of the room, stacked high with books and small boxes. Even s map, rolled up and tied off. Behind the desk was a hammock swinging unoccupied. sheets and blankets folded neatly just under it. There was no window, just a balcony headed straight out to the open sea, allowing the breeze to wash the room as it pleased. This was comfort in her eyes. On one of the walls was a mount for weapons. There were only three sets currently on display. A saber purchased, or so she says, from one of the markets in Tigri a little further east. Its blade was crafted using that special method used for the knight's blade and was as sharp as tack with a little sharpening. A duller version was buckled to her waist. She hung that one up next to the other saber. She hopes that it wouldn't be used, although it was basically guaranteed. On the opposite wall was something else, a bit more precious than either of those words. A rifle and a pistol, hanging in a glass case. It was unlike those used by the military police. It was an original make from her father, who actually did create the first designs used nowadays. She hated being reminded of him or her mother looking at it, but it was one of the last pieces of the home she carries around her.

She sat at the old desk, clearing it of clutter first before taking out a few texts. These were all ancient and warranted to be taken care of. She moved with delicate fingers as she began to read. If she was going to wait, she wasn't going to waste the time. She heard the anchors being pulled and the flutter of the large sails and the day stretched on. Soon, there was the familiar rough rocking of the sea as they pulled away from the harbor, and into the open ocean. Once again, she can be at ease knowing that any threat will have to wait for now. If she had it, she would stay at sea forever. The afternoon slowly became evening, and evening to dusk. As the sun began to settle, there was finally a knock on her door. She quickly put the book away into cupboards under her desk before calling them in. She was surprised to see not the god slayer, but her son, the knight, and his friend. Her first impression was not all that great towards him. He had that air of superiority that all the knights from the Empire share. Of course she was used to people being bigger than they are. But the fact that this sense came not from ability, but from a moral stance made her just a bit unnerved. The other at least seemed palpable, more to sit back and sees what his friend does instead and he lacked the grandeurs of a knight. He closed the door behind them.

"Good evening, Moxie," he said. "We've come to talk a bit more of our terms. I hope we are not intruding on anything important."

"Not at all," she gestured for them to step closer. "I expected the godslayer to be talking, I guess she isn't feeling up to speaking to me then? What a shame."

"A godslayer is speaking to you," Lyse pulled out the pendant shining dully in his hand. "The new godslayer of life at that."

"What?" she looked astonished at the artifact, a power she could not believe was held in the hands of another person. And yet, a knight of all people. "Another generation has already begun?"

"Yes," he looked down at it for a moment and tucked it back in. "It's either an honor or a curse. Either way, I intend on saving my country if it's the last thing I do."

He took in his word, standing slowly as if preparing to be beaten down again. "A new generation. That means . . . they are coming back, aren't they?"

"They?" Edlund asked. "You know of Talin?"

"Of course I do, I'm a guardian," she tried to stop herself from spitting the words out. "At least I was. It's not something that really concerns you, I must say."

"Then you know what is at stake," Lyse told her. "You knew the godslayers and my mother at one point. And the threat that looms over all of the clans, Hath and even Torlak. I hope you understand what we ask you."

"I understand perfectly," she spoke. "I promised myself that I would tear away from all of this god stuff. It brings nothing but trouble and harm to anyone in its radius. Are you really telling me to jump back in?"

"Are you seriously going to bring personal troubles to the topic of potential war?" Lyse argued. "This is above that. If we fail, all of the clans will die too. And Hath, and the rest of the world if the case comes."

"Don't lecture me about consequences, kid," she snarled. "Those words. almost the same as that woman. She told me once the same. Promised me that nothing but glory and peace would come from my aid. But when it was all over, I was merely cast aside by the one I swore to protect. Why should I ever help the godslayer do anything? You are clearly capable of doing that yourself."

"I know that you were done wrong by my aunt," Lyse said. "I know all about it. But this, denying us help will not make anything, no circumstance better otherwise. Being a child will not make it better."

The next sequence of events happened in a matter of moments. Knew the second he spoke that he used the wrong words. He didn't have her pegged as someone sensitive to too harsh words. But as soon as he said the words "child", he immediately noticed a shift in her demeanor. In just a blur she extended her hand. He was just a few steps away from the desk, but supposedly far from her grasp. However, what happened next was not what he had expected. Her arm extended. Her limb distorted as if made of clay, growing hair and reshaping the structure in her bones as well. Long claws, the length of daggers, were under his throat. Her eyes became a glaring red, with vertical slits for pupils and fangs instead of canines as she snarled. Itt was bizarre, but he did not move. He saw the anger, he saw the stroke of violence that had glazed her for an instant. But in another instant, it was gone. She wasn't going to act on it. Not on him. The claws stopped a foot away, her leaning over the desk with a murderous glare slowly fading into confusion. What was she going to do now?

"They have my sister," he spoke softly, and she gave him a hesitant look. The unbothered stare he had purposely dawned coming in here melted away. He was no longer a knight, but merely a man. His tone became pleading. "I know little of how the godslayer operate. And when I was first told of my duty, I only care about what I could use this power for. But before I am godslayer, before I am a knight. I am a brother. I am the son of a man who sought something akin to my own dream. And he's dead too. I understand that you were hurt by them, but I am no longer coming to you as a godslayer. I'm coming to you now as simply a man looking for help. HAte them, but don't blame me or my sister."

She gave him a confused look as if he had simply gone mad. Not defending himself. Pleading with someone who just considered taking his life. Who was he? Was he even a knight at all? Slowly though, she backed away. He took a deep breath and tried to settle the anger that had been built within her.

"Alright," she said. "I'll take you on this journey."

Edlund looked genuinely surprised. "That's it?"

"I can just dump you all in the sea if that's quite alright with you?" she almost snapped, but her expression turned a little stricken as she processed Lyse's words. "A sister, huh. I must admit, I didn't picture someone like you being able to show that level of vulnerability with a merchant."