The Aerandir and the search for the Black Moon (ORP)

[MarcusRedClaw]

Marcus was still in pain and a dark haze as he found himself secured to a bed. He glanced about trying to discern where he was. He could feel the swaying of the floor and knew he was aboard a ship somewhere at sea. As he slowly opened his eyes, he began to recognize the Captain's cabin of the Black Moon. Slowly things began to become clear. He remembered seeing the Elf and the battle along the Bercia-Muria border. He remembered feeling the agonizing pain in his legs and falling to the ground. He remembered, slightly, someone grabbing him and helping him escape the field of battle. He also believed he had sent a message, via courier, to the Elf he considered his enemy. Beyond that he was a blank. He looked down as a spasm of pain went through his body. One leg was heavily bandaged from just above the knee down to his ankle. He saw nothing, nor could feel anything, from the knee down of his other leg. He pounded his fist on the bed as it all became clear. He screamed out "Damn you Elf." as reality set in.
Hearing the noise, his 2nd in Command, Elikan, entered and updated him on things. He had helped him escape the rout on the battle field. They were on the Black Moon, shrouded in the frozen mists of the great northern sea, They had 2 ships with them, all that had survived the battle. They also had about 60 able warriors, with another 30 that were healing from one injury or another. The Mages and healers had been able to save his one leg. The other they could not. They are hoping his changeling nature could restore the other, but they are not sure.
Anger and fire grew in the eyes of Marcus as he heard all of this. He commanded Elikan to grab some parchment and a pen. As Elikan was doing so, Marcus stated that the Red Claws will rise again like the fire from ashes. The Dark will take over the known continent and all will come to bow before them. This is not the end. He then had Elikan copy down a message to send to the enemy Elf. With that done, Marcus laid back down as pain pushed him back to sleep.

[FirstmateJim]

The Aerandir and her remaining fleet where now back in Bravian waters along the northern edge of the VR near North Staunchville. Jim and the crews had not seen nor heard of anything related to the Red Claws or The Black Moon since the great battle almost a month ago. Jim didn't know whether this was a good sign or not. He didn't like not knowing.
That said he was happy to be in home waters again and gave orders to set course for the Eastern port city of Navy Island. The fleet would anchor there until a new course of plan was set. It would also be good, Jim thought, for the crews to get some liberty and relax as he oversaw the resupplying of the fleet. He gathered a pen and some parchment, wrote a brief note to let his Captain know things, and sent it off via carrier pigeon. He was glad for the quietness but also ready for things to come. Fate could not be outrun he knew.

[Tuvoria]

Tuv was enjoying the sounds of the boys as he finished cleaning up around the house. He knew Wyl was happily tucked away enjoying herself in her bakery shop. He loved her cooking and baking, and was always happy to try her new creations. Wanting to enjoy the nice afternoon, Tuv grabbed the makeshift playpen, set it up outside, and grabbed the twins and Rex and headed outside. Tuv then began to work on getting an area ready to plant a garden, using seeds from the various vegetables they had gathered on their recent trip. He knew Wyl would love to have the garden. As he took his tunic off to begin chopping wood, he noticed one of the Pigeons that had the markings of the Aerandir show up. He grabbed the message from the pigeon and was happy to see that Jim and the fleet were heading to Navy Island for some R&R. He was concerned that the Red Claws seemed to have vanished somehow. As he was pondering this, an acolyte from the church came up and said "Master Tuvoria, this letter came to the Temple addressed to you. Priestess Katie said I should bring it here. Tuv thanked the lad and gave him a silver piece. He then opened the letter as a scowl crossed his face. He knew who it was from right away.

	Hello Elf 'S gearr-mhaireann do bhuaidh. Chan urrainnear stad a chuir air an dorchadas. Feudaidh moille a bhi orm, ach èiridh a' Chlach-ruadh a rìs. Bheir dorchadas thairis gach ni. Bithidh Secfenia 'na aon fo riaghladh a' Chlachain Dheirg. Tha sinn a’ tighinn thugad. Cha'n urrainn thu folach uainne, do chinneach, no an Dorchadas. Bidh a’ Bhan-rìgh againne againn agus amhaircidh tu oirre a’ tighinn gu bhith againne. Marcus

Tuv read the words and then repeated them in the common tongue: Your victory shall be short lived Elf. The Dark cannot be stopped. I may be delayed, but the Red Claw shall rise again. Darkness shall ovecome all. Secfenia shall become one under the rule of the Red Claw. We are coming for you. You can not hide from us, your fate, or the Darkness. We shall have our Queen and you will watch her become ours." Tuv felt a rage rising up in him. He calmed himself as he knew that Marcus was trying to goad him. He would not give him the satisfaction. He laid the letter on his Tunic and went back to chopping wood. Each hit on a log being in his mind yet another blow taking out a Red Claw warrior. Slowly a smile began to return to his face as he glanced at the twins enjoying the gurgling laughs the two of them were sharing.

[Tuvoria]

Tuvoria packed up his carts, his mules, and gathered up Rex before kissing Wyllow and the twins goodbye. He was heading to the north shore of Bravia to gather some information for the Army, to check on a few things, and to check on the timber forests north of Staunchville. He also wanted to get in some chopping himself. He was hoping to gather some Red Oak, birch, and Aspen for use in his shop. The journey to Staunchville was quiet and relaxing, and the night in Staunchville went well. In the morning, Tuv headed out into the timberlands. Soon he was busy chopping wood and being one with nature. The day was warming up nicely and Tuv had taken his tunic off, when he noticed that Rex was eagerly wagging his tail and had alerted to something, Tuv was about to grab his sword when he heard an ancient voice speak.
Be at ease child. I mean you no harm. I know you have been pondering what I said to you before and I know you are seeking not only me, but more answers as well
Tuv recognized the voice and the woman behind it. The Ancient, Luana, had sought him out again. He welcomed her in, offered her a stool to sit on and something to drink. She accepted both and then began to speak again.
You still seek the Black Moon and the one called Marcus. That is good, but be wary that you do not become what you hunt. Fate and destiny will lead you to where you belong if you do not try to force the issue. You must be vigilant and patient at the same time. Your quarry for now rests in the far north, hidden within the frozen mists. Do not yet sail to seek him. Wait and prepare. When the summer sun reaches its peak, a vision and word shall come to you and guide you were to sail. To hunt before then will bring calamity upon those you hold dear. Trust in the destiny and what the Mages have in store for you. Be aware that your passions do not overshadow reason. Your adversary was severely wounded and now his rage, hatred, and desire for vengeance boil within him and have blinded his vision to nothing but his hate.
Tuv took this all in and contemplated what the Ancient One had to say. It expanded more on what little he had already knew. He turned to get more water for Luana and himself, and when he turned around she was gone. He heard her voice call out, enjoy the wood I give you and tell that uncle of yours to quit using my trees as his scratching posts. Tuv chuckled to himself before noticing that his wagons were now fully loaded with the timber he had come to collect. He gave thanks to the Ancient and to the Mages for the gifts and then began to prepare to return home to Bravia City, and his lovely family. It was time to follow the advice and to relax and wait.