The Al’Ri Masters gathered at the Ancestor Shrine in the center of the Al’Ri capital city. From the open arch’s of the central casting chamber they could see a full three hundred sixty degrees, but their favorite view was the black bubble that held the pirate ship Haven just outside the cove. The Masters gathered in small groups and talked of the impending arrival in excited tones.
The people of the city did not share the Master’s excitement. May of them knew someone, who knew someone, who had been on Protector’s island. The people of the city wanted the black bubble gone. They didn’t want the one called Cousin to come.
Inside the bubble Kraken and his crew took bets on when Cousin would arrive, what she would do to the island, to the Masters and what her first words would be when she got back on ship. They laid wagers on the fate of Drake, Jones Bone, and their ship. Time was spent gaming and sparing. Only when he was alone did Kraken let his worry and uncertainty consume him.
Cousin looked down at the Ancestor Shrine and the black bubble beyond. The dormant volcano at her back provided shelter and sustenance. For three days she sifted through the energy signatures on the island, and weighed her headings. She used her power freely and walked the streets of the city at night. No challenged her. No recognized her.
She listened to the gossip and the concerns of the people. Going from shop to shop, inn to inn, she learned her enemies. Like on Protector’s island some people were fettered, some supported the Masters freely, and yet others were used more subtly. And those with the most power stood behind the masses using them as shield and sword.
Everywhere she went people whispered. Stories were told of her and her power, and things she had done. Things that were not always true. People whispered of the Alpha Master, who had yet to arrive with his inner court, like a monster from a child’s story. As if talking of him too loud would bring his attention on them. Everywhere people ducked their heads together to share what they knew. Everywhere Cousin looked she saw lie.
On the volcano, she felt at ease. It felt like the Ancient Gods. Though she had not found a temple, Cousin knew the mountain was scared. This is where the Des’Tras would live, she though over and over, and when she did, she missed Haven even more.
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