<Storyteller> It has been two months since the fight aboard Usher's ship. The time has passed slowly, and the day of first launch is near. The Anaceron of Fate has called a meeting in her office.
<Ambrose> "Good day, gentlemen."
* Remy strides in, exibiting his usual flair, and kisses Ambrose's hand. "My lady..."
* Erik just looks silently at her
* Ambrose smiles at Remy
* Nachabe walks in, his black wings held close to his back
* Gerard waits for the meeting to begin, then end so he can get back to work.
<Ambrose> "Before you launch tonight, you must meet with some of the Ambassadors first."
<Nachabe> Erik:{ How can you stand with them....they left you alone in that mess, and never came back for you}
<Erik> (I know. I know all too well.)
<Ambrose> "They may have some messages or cargo they wish you to take to their Kingdoms."
* Remy nods. "All of them?"
<Ambrose> "Ahuru, Kirosawa, and Veruku-singh, have all requested to meet with you."
<Ambrose> "Also you have a new Cohort member.."
* Remy nods. "Alright, this could be some trip..."
<Ambrose> "This is William, he's the Ship's Pardoner."
* William steps into the room.
* William is a man who was in his early to mid 30's. He's dressed in a gray tunic, white cloak, brown boots, and gray trousers. He is also wearing a white tabbard with a red cross. At his belt is a broadsword in his scabbard. He has..a strong presence. You can't put your finger on it, but it's warm and good.
* Nachabe looks in William's direction
* Erik doesn't bother to look at him
* Remy offers his hand to William
* Nachabe is a tall dark figure with smooth ebony skin that is covered with tribal markings. From his back extends a pair of black wings. His eyes burn with an inner fire as you look at them.
* William shakes his hand
<William> He looks like something from the crusades
<Remy> "A pleasure to meet you, mon ami..."
* William looks at Nachabe, noting him, then turns back to Remy
<William> "Good day sir. You are the captain of you Cohort?"
<Remy> "Name's Remy. Remy Leclair."
<Remy> "I am at that," Remy says with a wide smile
<William> "I am William O'Connor."
* Erik is a young man of about 18 years of age. He wears a black T-shirt that reads "Carpe Noctem" in white, and is wearing faded and torn blue jeans. His expression is unreadable, but his eyes are rock hard, not showing a glimmer of affection
<William> "I will assist your cohort to the best of my abilites in the Good Fight."
<Remy> "That's all one can ask."
* Gerard is an average size man with thinning hair and dark eyes. He is wearing a faded suit and tie. He looks at you with eyes that are intelligent, yet almost predator like.
<Nachabe> Erik:{Loyalty......thats a word I am sure thay do not know}
* William looks over everyone.
* Erik turns and begins to speak to Remy. A wave of pure emotion flows over Remy, filling him with a feeling of immense hatred
<Erik> "I am leaving now."
<Remy> Remy is a handsome cajun man, who wears expensive suits, and <Remy> radiates an air of friendliness. People take to him quickly. He has sparkling blue eyes, a charming smile, and striking black hair.
* Erik turns and begins to walk to his quarters
* William watches Erik leave
* Remy raises his eyebrows. "What's his problem?"
* Ambrose watches Erik leave
<Ambrose> "Well, you better go see about the Ambassadors."
* Nachabe remains silent
<Remy> Nachabe: {Look at that ungrateful twit go. He survived the tempest, and all he can do is whine. Don't you think he'd be better off in Oblivion? *chuckle*}
* Remy nods
* William frowns
<Remy> "We'll get right on it, cher..."
<Nachabe> {No One is better off in the Oblivion}
<William> "He has much to fight for one so young."
<Gerard> Remy{Your leadership is doing well. A member of the crew is leaving, on your incompetence. Who else would you like to get rid of?}
<Remy> "Ain't no one ready for death, William."
<Gerard> "I hate to ask this, but William. Are you a member of the Temple Knights?"
* William nods
<Remy> (My incompetence? I fail to see the logic in that, 'friend'. He seems consumed by his own hatred...something I will not allow for my self, merci beaucoup)
<Erik> William{You're failing your mission, William. Already the forces of corruption are at work. tearing apart this group. All because of you. You saw how he wouldn't even look at you.}
<William> "I belive you mean Knights Templar. No Infact I am not that old. They died out long ago." That last comment doesn't sound as sure as you might expect.
* Ambrose shows you to the door of her office
* Nachabe looks everybody in the group over a few times and then smiles
<William> {Silence. He does not know me, or how much I can help him.}
<Gerard> Remy {As leader, you should be talking to him, not letting him go. Oh well, you know best don't you.}
* William walks beside Remy.
<Storyteller> You walk out of the office, and out of the Hall
<William> "Where did the one who left go?"
<Remy> (I'd suspect I know better than you. I'll talk to him if he becomes A problem, but I'm not going to pry)
* Remy walks out
<Nachabe> "Want me to follow him?"
* Remy shrugs. "I have no idea...."
* Remy nods. "Please do, Nachabe. See if you can help him, too."
<Gerard> "Hmm pity. I had some questions but..."
<William> "The Devil speaks loudly to him."
* Nachabe walks away, and tries to find Erik
* Remy nods.
<Remy> "He went through a harrowing. We don't know the details, though..."
* William frowns. "He is young. After such a, pardon the phrase, harrowing experience, his friends should help him recover."
<William> "Do you know where his quarters are?"
<Erik> William{Are you sure? Maybe Satan has corrupted him, and soon everyone else will fall. I will savour the moment as you succumb to Oblivion.}
<Storyteller> Nach-you easily find him two blocks away
* Erik turns and looks at Nach. At first, you catch a glimpse of profound sorrow in his eyes, quickly replaced by hate
* Remy sighs
<William> {I will not succumb. I will help them resist your temptations.}
* Nachabe catches up with him
<Remy> "We don' have time for this right now. The Ambassators are expecting us, and I already let Nachabe go. I'm sorry, but you'll have a whole long boat ride to talk with him."

 Erik & Nachabe
* Erik turns away and continues walking
<Nachabe> "Mind if I walk with you?"
* Erik remains silent
* Nachabe walks with him in slience
<Storyteller> The street is fairly busy, cars speed down the street careless of the children playing on the sidewalk
<Nachabe> "Erik...can we talk for a moment?"
* Nachabe puts his hand on Erik's shoulder
<Nachabe> "I am sorry...."
<Erik> As he speaks, hate washes over Nachabe "Leave me alone."
* Nachabe waits for the emotion to pass before he speaks again
<Nachabe> "Erik I am sorry....we tried to find you, but the tempest had taken you."
<Nachabe> "I am sorry...."
<Erik> "I saw what happened."
<Nachabe> "You saw what your Shadow wanted you to see."
* Nachabe waits for the emotion to pass before he speaks again
<Erik> "I saw what I saw. Don't ever patronize me."
<Erik> "Look, if you think I'm gonna swallow that shit, fuck off."
<Nachabe> "I can't speak for the others Erik...but I do care."
<Nachabe> "You do what you need to do...."
<Nachabe> "I have to head back to the ship, are you going to be allright?"
<Erik> "Nach...I...I need to be alone."
* Erik wanders to his quarters in the ship
* Nachabe turns and leaves
* Nachabe goes to find the others

 Back at the Cohort
* Gerard leaves the room and immediately goes to his study to do some reading.
<Remy> "Hey, Gerard, where are you goin'?"
<Gerard> "To do some reading. Don't worry, I will be back in a while."
<William> "We were told to go to the offices of the Ambassadors."
<Remy> "Yeah, we can't just brush them off..."
<Gerard> "I'll be there, I just need to get some books."
* William frowns
<William> "This group seems divided."
* Remy nods.
<Remy> "Very much so."
* William reaches up and grasps his cross, murmuring a prayer for the group.
<Remy> "Alright, but be there quickly."
<Remy> "I take it you're a religous man?"
<Gerard> "Okay, three minute tops."
* William nods.
* William gestures at his clothing
<William> "I was born in Maine. I just molded my clothing to suit my new roll and a champion of Light."
<Remy> "Cest bon. Send a prayer to the big guy for me. We're gonna need all the help we can get....."
<Remy> "Maine, eh? I'm a Louisiana boy myself."
* William nods. "I recognized the accent. My travels took me to all corners of the globe."
* Gerard goes to his study and gets three books. One on the Knights Templar, the others on heirarchies of angels.
* Remy smiles. "Mine took me to all the seediest establishments in America."
<Remy> "I don't suppose you're a gambling man, are you, William?"
<William> "No I'm sorry. Gambleing is a sin."
* Gerard comes back to the group. "I keep forgeting I can't do that."
<William> "Do what?"
<Gerard> "Bring stuff from the skinlands. I have so much to work on."
<Remy> "Heh. I don' know about a sin, but I'm got a feelin' God banned it for a reason, when I think about it."
* William smiles knowingly.
* William nods.
* Nachabe walks up to you
* Nachabe re-joins you
<Gerard> "Where's Erik?"
<Nachabe> "Back on the ship."
<Remy> "Welcome back, Nachabe. Did it go well?"
<Gerard> "Oh."
<Storyteller> You walk through the bustling city streets. All manner of quick pass by, and through you as you head towards the Met.
<William> "How is he?"
* Remy looks a bit angry
<Nachabe> "Better than I expected."
<Remy> "He has responsibilities. He should be here."
<Nachabe> "William may I speak with you for a moment?"
<Nachabe> "Remy....now is not the time."
<William> "Why did he leave?"
<Nachabe> <To William> "I want you to do me a favor..."
* William nods
<Remy> "Now is the *best* time! We supposed to be talking with the Ambasadors, and I could use my first mate..."
* William goes aside with Nachabe, but he is obviously wary of him, probably because of his appearance
<Nachabe> "I want you to keep an eye on him...he feels that we betrayed him by leaving him in the tempest....you were not there, perhaps he would feel less threatened by you."
<Storyteller> You reach the MET quickly enough. The museum is filled with tourists, art lovers, and the just plain curious.
* William nods.
<William> "I will help him."
<Gerard> Remy {Yeah, the first mate you chose for his abilities. And look at what he does, leaves you. You should go back and show him who is boss. You, or him?}
<Nachabe> "Remy if you want him in one mental piece...so he can preform his duty when it is needed then let him be now."
<Nachabe> "Thank you William."
<Storyteller> Over to the front hall, near the Egyptian exhibit, is a desk. A woman sits and watches you enter.
<Storyteller> "Can I help you?"
<Remy> (You're right, for once. I'm gonna talk with him later...)
* Remy nods
<Remy> "We're here to see the honorable Ahuru. He asked to see us. Remy Leclair."
<Storyteller> "Ah, yes, go right in."
* William enters
* Remy enters
<Gerard> Remy {Not later. Now! If you don't confront him now, you will be showing the crew weakness. Go Now!}
* Ahuru is standing near an ancient mummy. His spider-like body motionless as he looks it over.
* Nachabe enters last
<Remy> (No way, Shadow man. I got my priorities straight)
<Ahuru> Ahuru stands about eight feet, he has the torso of a man, and the lowers of a spider.
<Gerard> Remy {So why is Erik not here then?}
<Remy> Nachabe {Egypt is pretty close to your homeland....are you prepared to show your father what a FAILURE you are??}
<Erik> William{You see? Corruption is everywhere in here. Remember, God created us in HIS image, and look at this freak. Satan's work is never done...}
<Remy> (His choice. I'll talk wit' him later)
<Ahuru> "Welcome."
<Remy> "Greetings, Ambassador Ahuru."
* William frowns.
* Ahuru makes a motion towards, what you first assumed to be a statue. A bald naked man walks forward holding in his hands, a small box.
* William resolves to speak with these people about their choice of allies when we leave. In the meantime he stays toward the back, hand resting loosly by his sword hilt, but not aggressively so.
<Nachabe> {Egypt's spirits go to differnet realms than those of my homelands}
<Ahuru> "This is Nephutru, my assistant. He will accompany you to Amenti and deliver this...package."
* William looks Ahuru over carefully
<William> ...skepticly
<Remy> Nach {Maybe so, but we'll be swinging awfully close....Perhaps I'll take control, bring us for a little visit with daddy. Prehaps spread the plague to your tribe....*evil laughing*}
* Remy nods. "As you wish, Ambassador."
* Gerard is intrigued at Ahura's body. How could he possibly be half man, half spider? There is more to learn in these dead lands.
<Nachabe> {You do not have the power Shadow....you do not have that power}
* William frowns thoughtfully.
<Ahuru> "Take care, do not open the box. It is for Amenti's lord and no one else."
* Remy nods. "I'll contain my curiosity."
<Storyteller> As you watch Ahuru you see the intricate marks upon his body begin to move
<Remy> "Anything else?"
* William tenses slightly.
* Nachabe stands next to William
<Ahuru> "You have nothing to fear," says to William.
<William> "There is a difference between fear and caution."
* Ahuru smiles, "Yes, there is."
<Erik> William{He's trying to corrupt you, sir knight. Are you just going to take it like a woman, or be a man about this?}
<Remy> "Is there anything else, Ambassador?"
<Ahuru> "That is all, Remy."
* Remy bows gracefully
<Storyteller> Again the marks begin to move across his body
* William leaves immediatly.
<Ahuru> "Farewell." he says and leaves the room.
* Nachabe leaves
<Remy> "Thank you."
<William> As soon as Remy exits the room William says to him, "What is that..thing?"
* Remy leaves as well
* Gerard leaves.
<William> "The Devils influence is weak on it but it looks to be a spawn of satan."
<Remy> "That thing is the ambassador from the deadlands of Egypt. His name is Ahuru. He helped us out against Markova before."
<Remy> "Looks can be decieving. A little Moliate can go a long way..."
* William frowns. "And we are going to this place he comes from?"
<Nachabe> "Yes we are."
* Remy smiles. "Don' worry to much, William."
* William shakes his head to himself. "Why would one want to look like that." he thinks to himself.
<Storyteller> You walk out into the street, and begin your way to Chinatown.
* Nachabe continues to walk with the others
<Storyteller> The walk takes about two uneventful hours. You reach the gates of the Domain, and there stands several armed guards.
<Storyteller> Hands to their swords, "Halt, and identify."
<Remy> "Remy Leclaire, of the Legion of Fate."
<Storyteller> They wait for the others to identify themselves.
<Nachabe> "Nachabe, of the Gaunt Legion."
<William> "William O'Connor."
<Gerard> "Gerard Schafer, Penitent Legion."
<Remy> "With me is most of de 82nd cohort..."
<Storyteller> A man walks out from behind the gate. He bows to you
* Remy bows back
<Hiro> "I most humbly apologise. One cannot be too careful."
* Gerard starts to think. 'If this is death, what is beyond this?'
<Remy> "Of course. No need to apologize."
<Hiro> "My name is Hiro, and I have a message from Kirosawa to the Emperor. Please deliver this to the Palace."
* Hiro hands you a small book.
* Remy takes the book
* William wonders if all we are is a messenger service.
<Remy> "Which palace?"
<Hiro> "The Emperor's Palace in the Dark Kingdom of Jade."
<Hiro> "Thank you," he says as he once again bows.
* Remy nods. "It will be done."
* Hiro walks back behind the gate.
* Gerard whispers to Remy after Hiro leaves "Do we even know a Kirosawa?"
* Remy shakes his head 'no'
<Remy> "I believe it is the Ambassador..."
<Gerard> "So, what are we going to do with that then?"
* Remy goes to the last ambassador's place
<Storyteller> You walk back from the gate, and begin the trek to the Magnificent of Little India
* William drops back to Nachabe
<William> "Where is your friend Erik?"
<Storyteller> It takes about an hour to reach the Domain.
* Remy shrugs..
<William> "I will be of little use picking up messages, and to be frank, I have no desire to meet more like Ahuru."
* Remy smiles
<Remy> "Alright, you may go. But be at the boat."
<Storyteller> It is incredible. You can see a tall tower off in the distance. The color of it is an impossible gold, the streets are littered with vendors, and other wonderful sights.
<Nachabe> "This is the dull part of the job....wait till we sail."
<Storyteller> A man in loose clothing, beard, and turban walks up to you. He is all smiles and laughter.
* Remy greets this man. "Hello, good sir! I am Remy Leclair of the Legion of Fate."
<Veruku-sin> "Ah good day! And I am Veruku-singh, I have been witing for you."
* Remy smiles
<William> "Where is your friend Erik?"
<Nachabe> "He is back at the ship sorting some things out."
<Veruku-sin> "If you could do me this one tiny favor," he says animatedly, "I would be forever in your debt, no?"
* William nods "I will go back an speak with him. I will try and help him before you return."
* Remy nods. "Of course. We are already making a few stops near there..."
* William whispers to Remy "I am going back to the ship."
<Veruku-sin> "I ask that you drop off a certain cargo..hmm," he puts his arm around you conspiratorly and heads over to where it's private.
* William walks back to the ship.
* Remy follows
* Remy nods to William
<Veruku-sin> "You see, Remy. I have a cargo that must remain...discreet no?"
* Remy nods
<Veruku-sin> "If it fell into the wrong hands why, it could prove disasterous to my profits."
<Remy> "So, what is it, then?"
<Veruku-sin> "So if you could drop off this cargo," he points to a rather large and well guarded crate.
<Veruku-sin> "it is nothing... dangerous I assure you."
<Veruku-sin> "So it is a deal, yes?"
<Remy> "I don't know....how do I know it isn't a danger?"
<Veruku-sin> "Well you have my word as Magnificent of the Dark kingdom of Swar. Isn't that enough?"
* Remy smirks a bit. "I suppose this would hurt diplomatic relations if I refuse?"
<Veruku-sin> "Of course not! Although, let me show you what the cargo is."
* Veruku-sin brings Remy over to the cargo, and opens the lid just a crack
* Remy nods. "Sounds fair."
<Storyteller> The crate is loaded with Oboli
<Veruku-sin> "So you see, it's not dangerous."
* Remy nods, not mentioning pirates
<Veruku-sin> "Heavy...but not dangerous."
<Remy> "Well then, I suppose we can take it. But you will owe us?"
<Veruku-sin> "Aha good. yes, yes of course."
* Remy smiles. "It's a deal then."
* Veruku-sin snaps his fingers and the men pick up the crate and head towards the ship.
<Veruku-sin> "Ah good. I shall await word of it's arrival. Good day!"
* Remy bows, leaves, and heads back to the ship
<Storyteller> It takes a little over an hour to reach the ship.
<Storyteller> You can see the crew working and hustling to get everything ready
<Storyteller> Ambrose is onboard and waves at you
<Ambrose> "Ready to launch, gentlemen?"