"A thousand pardons," pleaded Nahob as he bowed a dozen times to Baroness Stille admist the bustling Grommish crowd. Though they were exotically dressed and were making quite the commotion, the busy street simply parted around them and continued with their business. "I…I…did not expect you to visit my lord so soon after I left the message. I mean no disrespect when I assumed you were…"

Stille stopped him mid sentence with an upraised hand. "It's quite alright. I find it flattering actually that an old girl like myself could be confused for a courtesan."

Old? That term puzzled Javindar. The Baroness looked to be in her early twenties at best, though he was well aware of the potency of longevity potions and, given her blue hair, it wouldn't have surprised him if she dabbled in the ancient feminine art of face painting. Regardless, Javindar frowned as Nahbob's face turned even a deeper shade of red. "My servant shall be duly punished when the time comes, but for now I suggest we regroup. The band with the shark man and the bat might pursue us. If the Golden Eagle has made dock, then I'll raise my houseguards and then we'll confront these ruffians on equal footing."

"Perhaps we should avoid direct conflict and let this town's constabulary handle these ruffians," suggested Nahob. "That is what their local lord pays them for."

Javindar snorted. "I've never seen militia men stand up to anything more than drunks or the local loud mouth. It will be better if we handle these blackguards ourselves. "

"I do not know about the guardsmen from Vinraj, but I'm sure if given the chance, their Grommish equivalents will surprise you. I know of at least one very competent Captain of the guard," added Stille with a wink.

Javindar was dubious of her claim. "This is not a matter of jurisdiction; this is a matter of pride. Specifically mine. Those ruffians humbled me earlier with their surprise attack and their numbers. As the Bey of Ghata, I demand a chance to redeem my honor and face them again."

"Yes my lord," bowed Nahbob.

"I have no time for this," sighed Stille. "I came because my dear friend Sammy…err the Holy Sampada, requested my aid. She needed my consolation about a certain evil artifact that I unfortunately am familiar with. I've been awaiting her arrival for a week now, and when Nahbob here left word that her party had arrived, I came as swiftly as I could. However, if you two are going to involve yourself into fisticuffs with Ulfgar and his band, you can find me at my office in the University when you are finished. Don't worry, the Great University is safe, I doubt even UIfie can best its Guardian Golems and Elementals. Tell Lady Sampada I eagerly await our reunion."

Javindar and Nahbob exchanged glances, before Nahbob cleared his throat. "Another thousand pardons my lady, but there is some confusion. Holy Sampada did not make the journey with us."

"What?" exclaimed Stille in genuine surprise. "She told me she was coming in the messages I received from her."

Nahbob shook his head. "Nay my lady. It was deemed too dangerous for her to make this journey, but in her stead she sent her trusted bodyguard Whelp instead. It is to my understanding that you know her servant."

"Whelp? " asked Stille in confusion before a mischievous flicker came to her eye. "Ahh..Whelp. I remember. Tall, dusky, skinny girl, knows some magic, handy with the crossbow and spear? "

"Aye, the same," confirmed Nahbob.

"Well, tell her that I'll be expecting her in place of her mistress," grinned Stille from ear to ear.

Once again Javindar and Nahbob exchanged glances. Both men lowered their heads, but it was Javindar that spoke this time.

"Whelp..Whelp was lost during our travel here. Defeated by a powerful mage from the east in yellow robes," said Javindar choking back tears. While the Prince thought he made his peace with Whelp's death a while ago, merely vocalizing the words of her passing shook him to his core.

The Baroness was stunned. At first she scanned both men's faces to see if they were jesting before she lowered her head as well. "I..I see…"

The three stood in the busy street in silence, with their heads down.

Though he swore to finish what Whelp had started, the quest for the Black Scrolls could wait. He had done his duty and saved Stille from those bandits. Even though he initially though they were targeting himself, it didn't matter. They had bested him unfairly in battle, and this needed to be rectified. He'll just gather up some men and confront Ulfgar and his band, and teach them never to cross paths with the Bey of Ghata. The Baroness was talented as a priestess, but he did not need her help. In fact it would be better if she stayed out of harm's way until he handled those villains that were pursuing her before they consulted her on their quest for the Scrolls.

"We shall handle these ruffians that have beset you my lady before we seek your consul," said Javindar as Stille turned around and began marching away on the busy street. "We will contact you again when we handle this Ulfgar of yours."

Nahbob reluctantly nodded to his Prince. "Before we proceed to the Golden Eagle sir, theirs is something I should warn you about."

"Eh? Is Quogy safe?"

"Yes..and no…"

"Who or what is a Quogy?" asked Stille. Though she began making her way back to the University, she had stopped to listen in on their conversation.

"My lord's spider monkey….anyways, I wish to report that Whelp was correct about the ship being beset by spies and possibly demons, and we were prudent to seek an alternate form of transportation," explained Nahbob. "During their journey here they were engaged by a small fleet from the Khanate, possibly the same ones that we engaged on the island. However, due to the heroic actions of some members of your crew they managed to evade them. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your viewpoint, afterwards Captain Ahmneal discovered Asura were hidden amongst them."

"Demons?" interrupted Stille, whose interest was clearly piqued.

"Aye my lady. Though their guru was slain during the engagement with the Khanate's ships, the Golden Eagle's astrologer was more versed in magic than I gave him credit for. While they could not fight the creature's directly, they managed to trick them into a room and sealed them in with magic."

"That's all good, but what about Quogy?" demanded Javindar.

Nahbob hesitated, sweat beading on his brow. "Apparently Quogy had taken a liking to one of the Asuras, and was trapped in the room with them."

"This Ulfgar character can wait. We have to return to the Golden Eagle, deal with the Asura, and rescue Quogy," said Javindar. Quest and bandits be damned, he had his pet monkey to rescue.

"I will return to the University later," said Stille. "These Asuras you speak of interest me greatly. I've only had a chance encounter with Asuras and they defeated me badly. I wish to study them in a more controlled setting….It will help me take my mind off of…Whelp's passing. "

Javindar considered her request. He wanted to turn her away, but he could use her help. Her divine magic was strong. He looked at Nahob and saw his servant looking back awaiting his answer. He nodded curtly.

"Follow me then," said Nahbob as he led them to the docks.

Tethered to the Grommish dock, the Golden Eagle stood out like a gem amongst mud covered rocks.

Eyeing his flag ship up and down, Javindar smiled grimly. While the the Golden Eagle had certainly seen better days, it had weathered the worst the Khanate could throw at it and survived. Given that it was outnumbered, the fact it was still afloat and outside of enemy hands was a miracle. Nahbob and Stille were interested as well, and the pair seemed to be fawning over certain patched up holes on the ship's hull.

Javindar eyed the holes. They appeared much bigger than anything a catapult or even a giant's boulder could inflict, but other than that it seemed unremarkable. Nahbob and Stille however seemed fascinated and questioned the crew about them to the crew. Javindar paid scant attention, but did hear Nahbob mention something about 'fire dust' and Stille responding with 'dragon powder'.

As they boarded the ship proper, Captain Ahmneal bowed profusely towards Javindar. While the Prince was used to this sort of behavior and even expected it, his time with Whelp and the crew of the Mermaid's Tail made him uncomfortable with this pandering. Thankfully Nahbob sensed it as well and shoed Ahmneal away as they made their way to one of the supply stores in the lower hull of the ship where a very exhausted fat man greeted them.

"It takes all my effort to keep the demons inside," gasped the big tattooed man. Javindar assumed this was the astrologer that Nahbob had mentioned, and noted the big man would look more at home with Wissam's crew than Ahmneal's.

Nahbob patted the man on the back and whispered something in his ear before the astrologer stumbled and made his way to the upper decks.

Javindar scanned the door with his holy vision and flinched. "The evil here is quite palpable. It is like what I detected at the Inn, but much worse."

"Oh about that. Your vision is not incorrect, it's just that…" began Stille but was interrupted by the most alluring voice he had ever heard.

"I hear new guests, " said a voice so sultry and smooth that Javindar's head felt light headed. While he had seen the finest and most lovely women in Vinraj, Holy Sampada included, and even battled through the Harpy's call, Javindar could not recall such an enchanting voice. "Maybe they should enter and keep me company."

Stille and Nahbob both took a step back, but braced themselves against the walls of the halls. Javindar glanced at the door and saw the bright runes flare up, diminishing the power of the voice with in. As the voice subsided, Nahbob hastily began to inscribe and reinforce the runes on the door with his finger. Stille on the other hand shook her head, and seemed weakened by both the voice and oddly enough the runes. She pointed to a galley room, and Javindar nodded before she stumbled away from the warded door and out of sight down the hall. Though Javindar was shaken by the voice, he felt the power of Puranas flow throw him as he resisted the dark magic.

"Demon, I will not fall prey to your guiles. I am the Bey Javindar, Prince of Ghata. Tell me why you have invaded my ship, and I will reward you by dispatching you painlessly."

The voice hesitated before resuming. "The Prince of Ghata? Such sweet irony. You are the reason my cohort and I have invaded your ship. She urged me to seek you out….to negotiate with you….."

"Negotiate with me? I do not deal with demons. "

A short sweet laughter could be heard from the other side of the door.

"That's what I told my friend, but she seemed convinced you will strike a deal."

"Odd…I recall demons prefer battle over talk."

Again the sweet laugh.

"Oh, but you did clash swords, and apparently you beat her quite handily and took her prized possession. A blade…one of those curved ones…."

"The six armed Asura! "

A short clap issued from behind the door.

"How delightful, you remembered her. As you can see, she already failed to defeat you in a test of arms chuckle, so she sought to strike you down at the heart."

"And how was she going to do that? Sneak aboard my ship and stab me in the back when I sleep. Typical," snorted Javindar.

"No my lord. She simply sought a fair exchange. The Holy Sampada for the return of her blade. "

Javindar stood their as he processed the information before he exclaimed in anger.

"What!"

"Oh yes, though my friend could not defeat you, your kin folk were another matter. She broke into the holy temple and even bested Prince Lalit in battle to capture your precious Holy Sampada. A feat that I didn't even think possible, but I assume their guard was down after the great battle. I told her to simply use that blasted holy woman as leverage, but she insisted to use her to trade back for her blade."

Javindar was sure the demon was lying, but it was such a bold lie that a part of him was apt to believe her. He glanced at his scimitar and shook his head. Though it was of fine quality and had served him well recently, it was an unremarkable thing. "I do not know if you lie or not demon, but I have the blade of which you speak. Return Sampada back to me, and then I will free you and you can have this weapon as well."

A mocking laugh echoed beyond the door.

"Dear, dear prince. I do not want that useless chunk of metal, my friend does, for reasons unclear even to her. Most likely it is a momento of a badly even she forgot. Sadly she is not with me, she has fallen in battle, and with her…your beloved Holy Sampada."

Javindar thought that was a strange response. If this was all an elaborate lie she would have said she knew had Holy Sampada, hidden away in some dimensional prison somewhere. However it could be a ruse, to make it not seem so simple, to make it more believable in that regards. Javindar was not sure how to proceed.

"err excuse me?" asked Stille from the back galley room. "I thought you said Whelp was recently with you...or am I thinking some other Whelp?"

"I am not sure what you mean..." said Nahbob.

Javindar ignored the pair. "If you don't have the Holy priestess to negotiate with, then what use are you to me. I should just fill the room with powdered iron till you choke, or rush in and slay you myself. "

"Ahh…but I do have a use. For I know where my friend fell in battle, and with her, your imprisoned beloved. Release my servant and I…"

"Servant?" came an unfamiliar male voice from behind the door.

"Release my servant and I, then I will reveal to you where Holy Sampada is," continued the feminine voice. "Take your time to consider my generous offer, but just remember, every moment your precious beloved suffers while she is lost."

Javindar was taken a back , but still skeptical. "Can you cast a divinate to determine if she speaks the truth or not? Or tell if Sampada is safe?"

Nahbob shook his head. "I am an amateur diviner at best my lord, and it would unwise to match truth magic against a demon that probably specializes in lies. Also, it is near impossible to cast a spell on her holiness. If you did not know, she was inscribed with runes as a child to protect her against the Rakshasa assassins sent against her. No 'normal' magic would work on her."

"Nahob is correct," gasped Stille as she forced her way from the galley towards the door. She made it half way before some magic kept her at bay. "I've known Sampada …since she was a child and ….she is shielded from most magics. However….I've learned you can…indirectly…indirectly track here." The Baroness seemed to blanch from her efforts and fell to one knee. Javindar rushed to her side and escorted her back to the safety of the galley. He wasn't sure what was affecting her , but distancing her from the warded door seemed to work.

Nahbob considered her statement and nodded in agreement." She's onto something there. While we can't directly communicate across the Sea of Dawn, we could possibly scry the location of someone close to her. If Holy Sampada has been taken, then the temple will be in a frenzy. Perhaps we could…"

"Her brother. Prince Lalit," exclaimed Javindar." If his sister had been taken, he would be the first to attempt a rescue expedition. If she has been taken then he would not be in his usual haunts."

Nahbob nodded and quickly began casting the spell. While Javindar never really bothered with the details of his servant's spell casting, he listened to the man's every verbal phrase and somantic gesture. After a minute that seemed to last an hour, Nahbob shivered at the answer he was given from beyond.

"The spirits say that Prince Lalit is on the Sea of Dawn. It reveals no more than that, but I must note that it is unusual for him to be so far from his books or his sister."

"Do you trust me now?" asked the feminine voice from beyond the door. "I simply want freedom from this cabin. Is that too much to ask?"

"Your terms are agreeable," said Javindar. "Tell me where she is and my servant shall release you. You have my word."

"I would normally deem one's word as dubious at best… especially given my nature, but you are a holy warrior of….Puranas is it? " said the voice. "I agree to your terms. Holy Sampada has been imprisoned in a bottle, akin to how mortals bind Jinn. The bottle was with my friend, the six armed demon when she was defeated by the man in yellow. I would assume that he or one of his cohorts has that bottle now."

Javindar considered the demon's words. His path was clear now. Without Holy Sampada, all the Black Scrolls in the world would be useless. His oath to honor Whelp would have to wait. He needed to rescue Sampada.

With that, the Prince of Ghata waved at the door. Nahbob frowned but did as he was signalled and dispelled the wards on the door. Javindar half expected a pair of crazed demons to rush out and attack him, but he was only met with silence. Not even mocking laughter accompanied the fleeing demons.

"Is it safe, " asked Nahbob as he pointed to his eyes. Javindar scanned the area once again with his holy vision and to his dismay. He could still sense a powerful evil presence. Not as great as before, but still significant.

"On your guard," warned Javindar with scimitar ready." The evil has not left."

"Perhaps an ambush?"

"Ahemm…" interrupted Stille. "About that presence of evil. Your vision is not incorrect, it's just that…."