Chapter 36
It's been two days since Thaylorn and Talen were able to work out what needed to be done to get the strange fountains and air pumps up and running! It's been a bit of trial and error as with the breaks in the circles they need to by-pass certain sections yet somehow create complete circles. Of course it didn't help that they lost half the time on the first day trying to find Penny in the woods after she got lost. In the then Kier managed to find her having a fight with some giagantic crabs that were menacing her on the beach. Of courset his did mean that Kier was able to serve some really tasty crab meals for dinner at their camp in the woods! The work itself has mostly involved adjusting the air funnels atop the fountains into a sequence they think will work then using the machines up on the mountain side to activate the device! Of course that has mean timing their activations to bne all the same time which was bloody hard to pull off too! What has happened so far is a loud of honking noises, bubbling watery fountains and not much success! But now... now after an entire day of working they have put the fountains into a sequence and are nearly ready to activate them again.......
Thaylorn seems to have gathered who he is able at one of the airpumps to explain the plan once more of what is to happen so that the group can reactivate the fountains. "Fifth time's a charm huh!" He offers to who has appeared "Should hopefully work this time, if we can get everyone activating their devices at the same time, I think one of our more firey folks could easily send up a signal into the sky from the summit." He probably intends to send the group about to the different air pumps.
Vazkor has managed to go through almost all of his personal stash of tobacco in the last few days, the man boredly smoking his pipe as he worked with the others to adjust those funnels to bypass the broken fountains... The man puffing on that Meerschaum pipe right this moment, in fact, as he saunters up towards Thaylorn. Idly blowing smoke rings and listening to the Imp, before he nods some and remarks, "I'm sure Raziel can launch an impressive fireball to alert all of us." And then gets ready to depart again, once matters are settled.
Penny nods in agreement with Vazkor, "Yeah, that's probably the best bet." If anything else, she at least knows her way around the fountains better by now, after her adventure to the beach and The Crab Conflict. She pulls her braid over her shoulder, idly toying with the tail-end of it, "So, when do we start, then?"
From his spot close by, Kier restrings his bow, and checks over some of his other goods that had still been drying over the last couple of days. Shifting to stand, he turns his head to look up towards the mountain and replies to that by saying, "First... we should decide who goes where. After all... some of the points are farther from others. Those who can move faster in the forest should be placed the furthest away."
Raziel looks at Kier then he nods in responce, "You and Vazkor head to the two furthest points.. Penny to the next closest and Talen and Thaylorn to those closest. Go ahead and head out then I will head up and wait til your all in position before flashing a signal." He reaches up and strokes EM's head thenn takes him down from the top of one wing and slips him into the case at his side." he nods for them to go then reaches into another pocket, pulling out a bit of jerky. A bite is taken and passed then into the pack with EM before he takes another bite and with a thrust of wings sends himself up into the air.
Talen sits near the airpump, his chin resting on drawn up knees. He chuckles at the fifth time's the charm, "More like eighth or ninth, Thaylorn, but who's counting?" Stretching, he stands as the activity level of people around has picked up once more. "I'd say there's no time like the present to get this done, hmm? And I think Raziel gets the light-something-on-fire job by default." The viera nods to Raziel and looks over to Thaylorn, "Race you!" he says as he ducks into a run.
The Imp just waves a hand at Talen as the Viera takes off, staying put at the group's current air pump "Just wait about twenty minutes or so Raziel, think everyone should be at the right place by then." Thaylorn remarks with a mild shrug as he merely sits and waits for the designated fire spell.
Vazkor glances at Raziel and nods, offering him a brief smile before the man idly raises a hand to the others in a departing gesture, and turns to get on his way. That same hand falling to the hilt of his sheathed Cutlass as he saunters off down one of those narrow paths, into the jungle surrounding them.
Penny gives Raziel a crisp nod as she receives instructions, "I'll be in position soon, and will await your signal." Two fingers go to her brow in salute to everyone else as she turns without further word, jogging off down the path towards her designated fountain.
Kier looks as if he wants to say something, but instead just holds his tongue for once. In passing though, Talen's hair is ruffled a bit before he lopes into the woods. Dust trods along behind, and does something in the same manner, twining between Talen's legs until that long-eared, almost fox-like cat takes off at a rat-catcher's pace. Just before the pair disappear in the foliage, the small feline leaps and lands in the hood on Kier's back, looking back at the others as they make their way to the furthest point.
Raziel's gaze trails after Vazkor for a moment before he blinks and looks back at Thaylorn, his wings causing gusts of wind as he keeps himself a few feet off the ground, "it will take them a while, but.." he looks after Penny and waves before looking back at Thaylorn, "I'll go up now incase anyone gets lost so I can redirect them." Raziel pushes upwards then, his wings beating faster to gain altitude while the sun catches off the gold, causing it to spark a bit. Once he's high enough he starts looking off in the drections everyone's run, hoping to catch some sign of their movements through the trees and even making sweeps over the fountains after it seems they should be there to make sure they are infact all ready.
It takes a good forty minutes to get everyone in place in the end, Raziel has to dip down out of the sky to point first Penny, then Vazkor in the right direction as they wander off path and then he has to go check on Talen and Kier when he spots that they have joined up and stopped. Turns out Kier came to Talen's rescue at Dust's urging to go pluck his boy out of the bog he was sinking into. But by the end everyone is where they should be, Kier, Vazkor and Penny are half way up the mountain side next to the large sand stone structures that need activating whilst Talen is down in the forest in the location of the biggest break making sure the stone funnel they have managed to recover and prop up on the remains of a fountain will not fall over. Everything is ready.....
With everyone finally in place finally Raziel starts to climb higher in the air, his teeth gritting a little bit as he looks down, making sure to make himself visible to everyone. Once that happens he starts to concentrate, his wings starting to glow as motes of fire magic start sparking over them and then he starts to fall, unable to do more than focus on the magic of the spell. As the fire moves to his hands the man looks like something of a fallen star that suddenly bursts into a full gout of flame just before the aegyl spreads his wings back out to catch himself before he tumbles into the trees below.
Thaylorn does indeed seem to be lazy, having decided to lay himself down against the conch so he could see the sky easily enough. With the flaring appearance of Raziel's magic though he easily leaps up to his feet. He quickly moves over to the mechanism that triggers the devices and activates it, hoping for the best this time! He has a feeling it will work out fine, though.
Vazkor was never much for jungle navigation, so the swashbuckler seems rather glad when Raziel comes down to show him the way after getting turned around a bit... And he soon finds himself by one of those structures, idly smoking his pipe again as he stares up at the sky, letting his eyes scan for the presence of flying Aegyl and the burst of fire magic... The man ready to rush in and activate the mechanism at the first sign.
Penny, after getting lost (*again*), and receiving much-needed direction from Raziel, eventually reaches her designated place, taking the time to make sure everything is ready, then settling down to wait for Raziel's signal, eyes on the sky. When the signal comes, she gets to her feet, and goes through the steps to activate the mechanism on-cue!
It's not actually Kier, but Dust who spots the fiery signal igniting the sky, and as the man catches the little display, it's the cat who seems to know what to do. Before he can get to the mechanism, Dust is there, nosing and batting things all in time to what everyone was shown. Exhaling once, he scruffs the beastie, but only AFTER it's done... but he brings up a bit of smoked crab to stuff into a hiss-prepared mouth.
Whether through pure luck, or a certain guiding angel from above, Talen is awaiting the signal by his fountain when the time comes. Whatever switch needs switching, or button needs buttoning, Talen hits it. Annnd takes a few steps back in case it explodes.
The mechanisms are depressed, four fancy sapphires depressed into their recess at the same time. There is a rumbling from under everyones feet and then music.... the conch-shells do something they have never done before they blow streams of visible air out of their funnels! They arch out over the island, each one playing a slightly different harmonious note! The streamers of air coil about each other then plunge down to strike the funnels of the four closest fountains! The water bursts out of the pipes and starts flowing again and is instantly caught by the whirling haze of air that has englobed the fountain and it launches out to the next fountain along, is caught by the funnel and coils around it and leaps out to the next fountain! This forms a circle of air and water all around the volcano and the tone changes! Several more notes now present in the cascade.... and then four whirling columns of air and water leap along the four paths between the inner ring and the outer, strike the fountains and repeat the process! Another ring of water and air from fountain to fountain forms outside the second with a fancy bit of jiggery pokery in place to replace the missing fountain. Streams crossing back and forth through the jungle to avoid the vacant spot without breaking the music! The tone hums in harmony and then the third circle is brought into the song of water and music! The air is palpable with energy, the party can feel their vital, magical energy being sapped.. being tapped... drawn into the whirling cacade of singing music! Raziel goes down with a flumpf, tangled in some tree branches quite unconcious. Thaylorn, Penny and Talen are brough to their knees, gasping for breath and only able to stare in shock as the outer circle sends curving pillars of water and air up.. up toward the peak of the mountain. Kier and Vazkor though they can feel the drain on their bodies are made of hardier stuff and are able to weather it. They get the best view as they are still on their feet so can see over the trees and rocks of the mountain as 16 streamers of water and air touch the top of the volcano and a mighty coloumn of aquamarine water bursts out of the caldera and into the atmosphere! Thundering into the sky it as a frothing, foaming waterfall that seems to blast away beyond human sight into the atmosphere! It is a breath-taking and magical sight, a coloumn of water over half a mile wide thundering upwards, against the pull of gravity into the sky.....
Still holding down the mechanism, Thaylorn raises his eyes to the conch with amazement as everything seems to click into place. He can't help but gasp as energy seems to flow about as easily as the newcomming water and even though he's forced to his knees from the power of it, he watches every moment of the process. Eyes tracing the water as best as he's able from where he is amongst the musical flowing of water the Imp seems completely lost in what is taking place, eyes going even wider as the streams of water converge into the great spire of water as it flows straight up into the sky.
Vazkor grunts and sways a moment as whatever little magical aptitude he possesses is drained from him... Only managing to stay upright by force of will, or sheer physicality. The man's fuzzy wolf ears perking at the humming melody as he blearily watches the pattern of water forming around him... And then can't help but stare in some awe at the gigantic column suddenly shooting out of the volcano. His head craning up as he tries to follow its path into the atmosphere.
Penny's mesmerized by the spectacular show of air and water, at least until the drain hits and causes her to stumble, then fall to her knees, the mouse gasping for breath as she falls forward onto all fours, shaking and barely able to prevent herself from collapsing completely. She misses much of the spectacle, her head down as she feels the drain pulling energy from her, simply doing her best to weather it until it stops. Then, and only then, does she start to struggle her way back to her feet, pushing against the exhaustion the drain left behind.
From his position close to the mountain, Kier is made to stagger and place his hand out to balance himself. Dust looses a bit of a nervous yowl as the ground around them seems to rumble a bit with all the excitement, and he makes a tired leap back into Kier's hood. Surprise more than weakness though is what throws Kier onto his rump when the volcano erupts with WATER, sending a geyser up in a place that should not be capable of doing so. Sitting there, bow white-knuckled in one hand, and the other digging into the dirt, he mumbles out, "Right." What would likely have been a excellent view also has Raziel right in the middle of a torrent of power. The aegyl's wings beat a few times, his fall broken at least... but that energy knocks the mage for a loop and as it washes over him his senses black out. Thankfully he's only a short distance above the trees, because he goes limp and falls, crashing into branches, the higher ones breaking beneath him before he's caught by something stronger. As he comes to a rest the Evil Mongoose slips out of the bag, it's fur on end and it looks around quickly before crawling onto Raziel's chest. It paws at him then races down an arm and bites his finger hard enough to rouse the man. He comes awake with a yelp and then groans as he looks up at the streams of water. "well... that... worked."
Talen didn't really want to stay on his feet anyways. Instead he lays back as best he can, crossing one knee over the other. "Well, really, they could have simply said hmmm? Instead of having us take all this time to get it done. I would bet you a cream puff..." he says, to no one in particular, "That the bad guys will show up now. That's what always happens in those holocube thingies."
The gigantic geyser keeps pouring into the sky, the strange harmonious song keeps singing away and then the whole jungle seems to come alive with spiritual enterties. Dryads and Naiad start popping in and out of existance between the tree branches. Water elementals of all shapes and sizes start to flow and dive and swim through the air and water imps start popping into existance left right and centre. They jaunt into place next to everyone, including Thay, grin a trade mark impish grin and POP the party find themselves standing on a boat dock deep in the jungle. Before it was just some fancy stone work, now it makes sense with water running in the channel.. well running and then leaping up to join the madness of whirling water between the outer circle and the next.... There are three rowing boats, small coracles tied up in the channel, enough for two people per boat along with packs of food and supplies. The various Priests are also there and the lizard-kin High Priest of Leviathan is smiling and spreads his arms wide, "My friends... first let me appolgise for how I treated you all before. My Lord Levithan has set out clear rules on how we are to treat those who come here and after you damaged the summoning circle he was epecially grumpy. But you have done the magnificent, the gate is open. If you but have the corouage to climn aboard these boat and push off you shall journey in a way only a few have ever taken before. Journey into the Water Way!"
With the appearance of other water Imps, Thaylorn can't help but laugh a bit before the group is teleported to the docks. He's not quite sure how they did it, but he most likely wants to learn how the other water Imps were able to move them so quickly! He merely watches the flowing water for a few moments before nodding and moving towards one of the two-person boats. "I'm glad we've finally been allowed to travel through the portal."
Vazkor blinks as he's suddenly transported off the side of the mountain... The swashbuckler looking confusedly at the others of the party surrounding him, the small boats, and finally, the lizardy head priest... His brow going up a bit as the priest talks, and explains his previous behavior. Vazkor opening his mouth to say something soon after... But thinking better of it, mildly shaking his head, and just stating, "... Thank you, sir. We shall be on our way then, and get out of your Lord's hair as soon as possible."
Penny squeaks as a water imp pops into existence near her, ears folding back as she grinned at, unsure if it's a good thing or not. And then, she's somewhere else, with everyone else, in front of the small boats and the Priests and everything, leaving her looking around in a bit of confusion before she regains her bearings. The skyward river of water catches her attention, and she stares for a moment, before her brain finally processes *that* impossibility and moves on to other things. She glances at Vazkor, and can't help but ask, as she checks for which boat has her belongings, and starts climbing carefully into it, "Does Leviathan even *have* hair? That would sure be something, wouldn't it?"
Standing up slowly, Kier's head hangs for a bit, his eyes slit as his hand goes back and under to where his hunting knife is kept. That is drawn and spun once on a finger before tightening into a white-knuckle grip. He doesn't seem to want to move, and Dust at his feet has his ears flicked fully back and paws at his partner's ankle to try and break the tableau. But it fails... and still there is a palpable air of tension around the young man, the kind of feeling that comes just before a storm rolls right in over you.
Raziel looks around as the sprites and imps start to appear. As he is transported the mage staggers a little as he finds himself on his feet and EM on his shoulder. He looks at the creature then mutters, "thank you my friend." Reaching up he gives the mongoose a quick scratch and then he looks around and his eyes focus upon the high Priest as he speaks. The mage tenses though, looking first to his companions (notably Kier and Vazkor both) for their reactions. His eyes slide from Vazkor with a little nod and then he walks to Kier's side and lays a hand on his shoulder before murmuring lowly, "come.. we should go. Other things are best left to wait and apology was given." As for the High Priest he looks over at him and nods a little, but his attention, the lion's share that is, is on the tense young man beside him.
Talen blinks at the sudden appearance of an imp, and manages to poke at it with a toe before appearing next to a boat. And apparently with everyone else. "Well, that's certainly made for a good end to an interesting day. Though..." The viera grunts as he stands up. "Wouldn't that fountain have been uh noticeable? Wouldn't it be this island's most talked about feature? How many volcanos gout water into the heavens? Really..." He lowers his voice, "I'm beginning to think this fountain was broken before we got here. And that we just did Leviathan a giant solid. All we get are these t-shirts." Talen peers over at Kier and moves to his side, "No time big-brother, no time. We can return after, hmm? You don't want to have to explain to the ancestors that you let the world burn because you needed to sate your honour right that moment."
The High Priest chuckles softly and pats Talen on the head, ushering the party into the corracles, "And you think travellers can see it from afar? What do you think the coral reef are for?" He points to the sea and indeed the reef are alive.... and above the water, a ring all around the island, a shimmering, glowing, beautiful, rainbow light that flickers and glows and shimmers and encases the island in a dome of rainbows with that corruscating fountain of water and air and beautiful music punching through the middle of it into the atmosphere. The High Priest inclines his head to Kier and mrmurs, "I am sorry for how I treated you, but one must obey the rules one has set themselves." Once everyone is in the boats the Water Imps cast loose the ropes from the bow of each boat and a Nu Mou give it a nudge of luck to get it going. With Raziel in the lead corracle they move out into the stream of water and start to travel up that bridge of water toward the first ring and with the slow realisation that if they follow the path they will be riding tiny little leaf boats right into the geyser of geysers dawing on the party they set off for the next step of their adventure!
Go back to Stelazzio Quest Chapter 33
Go on to Stelazzio Quest Chapter 37
Or return to Sin of the People/Stelazzio Quest Directory
