The Over-Father

[Jukka the Sling]

Serene stood stiffly, waiting.  She wasn't sure what the outcome of this meeting would be, but she could only hope it turned out well for the island.

[LT Sandpaw]

As the doors opened Jade padded though his head straight and his eyes locked on Breeia. The two guards on either side of her stiffened as Jade approached, striding purposely forward. The High Rhulain suddenly realizing the danger she was in started to step back, wondering if the guards had searched Jade for weapons when the High Priest bowed before her falling onto one knee, his head lowered. He moved his paw in a subtle sign for his two followers to do the same before raising his head to speak.

For the first time Breeia realized she had never truly met Jade. She had done her best to avoid him and had done so quite well. Of all the stories, rumors and reports she had heard about him, this sign of submission wasn't what she had expected. And by other otters looks they hadn't expected it either.

"High Rhulain of Green Isle, I seek to do naught but humble myself before you. Foolish creatures, drunk on anger and power endangered your life. I have seen to it they shall be punished for their crimes. True Over-Followers would never be so foolish, nor wicked. Know that I shall do all in my power to ensure this foolish action is never repeated under my watch. I do not seek to unsure you, nor your throne. However I do ask the maid Deepstream is returned to her guardians. She has willing given her life to the Over-Father. She must do the ritual or suffer his wrath. I know great queen that you suffer no belief in the great Over-Father, and for this I pity and pray that you may one day see the light. But I ask you please do not burden your conscious by keeping the young pup from receiving the Over-Father's blessings. She shall be safe, and protected under my personal care until she is returned to her rightful guardians."

All though his speech Jade had never once looked away from Breeia's brown eyes. His own deep pools of forget me not blue had left the High Rhulain tongue tied. She couldn't look away, much less refuse. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. She tried again and managed.

"Oh."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Nodding in Cadby's general direction Bart leapt off the dinghy landing in waist deep water. Grabbing a tug rope the mouse barked a series of orders at the crew beasts. Who shuddering at the prospect of the chilly sea water jumped in helping the mouse pull the boat up onto the rocky beach. Bart looking up noticed a young otter standing on the shore watching them closely.

"Here mate," Bart called slinging another rope towards the otter. "Make yourself useful and give us a paw."

OOC:

Bart is talking to Morgen BTW.

[Groddil]

Alana saw the paw movement and dropped to one knee. She would have stayed upright if she could, but she wasn't about to disobey Jade. The masked otter glared through the eye slits at the otterguard. If they tried anything, blood would be spilled. She grinned that they hadn't bothered checking for weapons, and she patted the sword beneath her robe fondly.

[Hickory]

Cadby, on his own raft, quickly leaped off as the makeshift vessel made shore. "Alright, me good plank tailed friends, make yourselves useful and bring me to the Rhulain. Crew, come inland to the edge of the forest and get some rest. Bart, you're coming with me."

[Groddil]

One of the otters emerged from the group. It was Adamo. The sea otter walked over to Cadby.
"I found these otterguard on my way to Summerdell. Good thing I did, or you'd be alone on the beach. I hope you don't mind if I travel with you, I have business with the Rhulain as well."

[Hickory]

Cadby shrugged. "Sure. Just follow my orders when I give them."

[Jukka the Sling]

OOC:  So are Cadby and Bart in two different groups?
BIC:

Morgen didn't budge.  "Er, who are you?" he demanded (but not very vehemently), trying to seem stronger than he felt.

[Hickory]

OOC: No, Bart is just going with Cadby to the Rhulain. He was in a seperate boat before they landed.

BIC:

The black fox turned and looked over his burnt shoulder at the otter. "Me? Cadby Denholm, captain of the Lady Fortune. Not much luck left in her now, eh?" He pointed out to the rapidly sinking boat, now showing only its mast above the water. "Anyway, she hit a reef and tore open a hole. We landed here, there was nowhere else. Who might you be?"

[Jukka the Sling]

OOC:  Okay.
BIC:

Morgen wasn't exactly sure what the correct protocol would be in this situation.  He knew that Jade was meeting with the Queen right about then, and he wasn't sure if it would be the best idea to just run off and tell some of the Over-Followers of these beasts' presence.

He lifted his chin.  "I am one of the Over-Followers, and we're the only true believers on this island."  He paused, not sure if that was the right thing to say.  Sometimes he wasn't sure if he really believed in the existence of the Over-Father, but... no, of course he did.

A new thought sprang to his mind, and he quickly added, "And what are you?  Merchants?  Pirates?"  He moved his paw slightly toward the hilt of his rather beat-up sword.
------------------------
Serene stared at Jade.  Lies.  And very good lies, too.  She glanced at Breeia and saw what she considered to be an almost trusting look in the Queen's eyes.  It alarmed her.  She looked at Glimmer and a mixture of compassion and confusion welled up in her.  She didn't want the young ottermaid to be in any danger, but could Jade possibly be telling the truth in that Glimmer had joined the Over-Followers?

No.  What am I thinking?  That's what he'd want me to believe.

At this, Serene stepped forward before she could stop herself and spoke, tripping slightly over her words.  She wasn't exactly sure what to say, but she felt somebeast should say something since the Queen barely had.  "And this, uh, ritual you mention involves hurting a young ottermaid?  How could this gain the blessings of the... 'Over-Father'?"  Then, a bit surprised at her boldness, she fell silent, hoping the Queen would not be offended.

[Groddil]

Alana scoffed.
"You could never understand because you are too arrogant to undergo the ritual yourself. Who can say what the Over-Father thinks is right or wrong? Certainly not you!"
The masked otter rose from her kneeled position. She kept her eyes on Serene while waiting for Jade to decide what to say. Alana found herself checking for the sword again. Still there, good.

[LT Sandpaw]

Jade's eyes flickered for half a second away from Breeia switching to Serene unwittingly. In that one moment the sense of vertigo left Breeia and she sank onto her throne looking thankfully at her otter captain. And while Jade's piercing blue eyes tried to lock back on hers Breeia kept her gaze up over his shoulder looking at one of the Otterguard's behind the Over-Followers who was picking his nose.

Something about Jade's eyes. They had frozen her, made her lost, unable to talk. How had he done it? Jade had given up trying to reclaim his staring contest with Breeia and was now looking at Serene almost curiously.

"Peace Alana, how could one who has not received the purification of the Over-Father understand? You yourself were doubtful. We must pity these creatures for they do not know of the Great Over-Father's mercy upon otters alone." Jade tried to lock eyes with Serene. "Captain Serene young Deepstream must undergo the purification of blood, and the mark of the Over-Father shall be imprinted upon her arm. I will not deny there is momentary pain. However what is a moment of pain to the expanse of eternal happiness?"

~*~*~*~*~

"Over-Followers?" Bart snorted shaking his large ears in mirth. "What in th' blazes are Over-Followers?" The mouse and his team managed to haul the boat on the sand. Many of them rubbed their ankles reproachfully, wringing water out of their clothing. Bart stood up squeezing water from his jacket before saluting to Cadby.

"Crew be all ashore Cap'n, all accounted for, I think."

[Hickory]

The black fox nodded. "Good work. Griddil, you're in charge until I get back."

The fox turned toward Morgen. "I'm a trader, yes. But, eh he he, we don't have anything to trade with. And I really don't care about your "Over-Followers" unless they happen to have a spare seaworthy ship laying around."

[Jukka the Sling]

Morgen stumbled over his words a little nervously.  "The Over-Followers follow the Over-Father, who, uh, enlightens and bestows his blessings upon us."  That's what he'd heard others say on more than one occasion, anyway.  He stood there a moment, then grunted noncommittally at Cadby's words.  Then he turned and sprinted into the woods, intending to tell the others now that he knew what these beasts were - or at least what they claimed to be.
-------------------------
Serene shot a quick glance at Breeia, and seeing that the Queen did not intend to speak up, she said, her blood boiling, "That's a load of garbage!  I don't know where or how you came up with such ideas, but I know that any kindhearted being wouldn't require blood rituals!"

There I go again, not even trying to be tactful.  She bit her lip a little regretfully.  I hope this didn't ruin all chances of diplomacy...  She remained standing, facing Jade with fire smoldering in her eyes.

[LT Sandpaw]

  For a long moment Jade seemed to be considering the Otterguard captain. His eyes remaining calm and outwardly peaceful. Slowly the otter priest stood facing Serene. His expression hadn't changed, however standing Jade looked much more dominating then he had kneeling.

  "I see..." He said at last. "I can not change what you believe so deeply. Nor am I here to argue what a good being would, or wouldn't do. However Otterguard Serene you do not speak for the queen, if you do I must lose faith in the Queen's judgment at picking ranking officials."

  "She speaks for me." Breeia said slowly. The final sense of vertigo finally leaving her. She forced herself to look past Jade, not wanting to lock eyes with him again. "What she says is true, bleeding a youth is disgusting and wholly unnecessary. Glimmer will stay here. Captain please escort Jade and his ilk out."

A tiny flicker of fury flashed in Jade's eyes but was gone in a moment. He held his palms up level with his chest shaking his head sadly. "As her majesty wishes. For here, and only here, the High Rhulain's word is law."

~*~*~*~*~*~

"These are otters Cap'n. M'sure they got at least one ship that'll sail on this lump o' rock." Bart observed his eyes ranging the mostly rugged shoreline. Dark sand mixing with a large number of pebbles made up most of it. Further up the sand ended and a thick woodland began. The mouse sailor glanced at his captain. "Erm I wunner where the otter ran off to. Should we follow?"

[Groddil]

Alana stood up, fire in her eyes.
"Just you wait, unbelieving scum! Just you wait..."
The masked otter took a step back.