What town?

This hammock is awful.

That's all I can think as I lay here in this ship, the swaying now that we've left port has made any attempt to rest through the newly arrived night, as my stomach twists and turns. The others seem fine, but that's of little comfort to my churning guts. I rise from the 'Bed', and head through the curtains. Our little section is at the very bottom, beneath even where the cargo is held; supposedly meaning we're least likely to be hit directly via spells or something called a 'Cannon' during any possible battle with pirates on the trip. The likelyhood of Maiyo's Kiss being directly attacked was already minimal, according to Cilla, as it's offensive capabilites were minimal compared to the two escort ships Thrusk had command over; the Tailum's Wrath, and the Breath of Ihsrom. This, combined with the fact the Maiyo's Kiss was the ship holding the valuable goods, meant pirates would avoid firing upon it; prefering to attempt to destroy it's escorts.

I continue my walk through the ships bowls, magical lights brightening its innards. The floor above us is under the heaviest guard, as it houses the massive crates and barrels that contain the fish, lumber, stone slabs, raw metal, and other goods that are being transported. I see Bran here as well, I understood it to be that he is one of the two 'logistics managers' of the ship, who keep stock of the goods before, during, and after transport; ensuring all was accounted for.

Another floor up, and I'm at the area which contains the sleeping quarters, kitchens, and bathing area of the ship. Some of the night crew, none of which were active when we were arrived, are currently having their 'breakfast.' Having not eaten since we left Saltmoore, I was tempted to ask around about what it is they were eating, when I felt another twist in my guts. Nevermind.

I head up to the level just before the deck of the ship, which houses most those 'Cannons' the vessel has, with the rest being mounted up above. I see the variety of things needed to fire these weapon, namely the 'balls', and the bags of explosive powder; the first of which were secured in large metal containers near the cannons themselves, while the powder bags were kept in a single large case near the center of this level. Ashes spoke of it before night fell, as she was trying to bring Zana back by speaking of her favorite subject; firearms. This case is supposedly enchanted, as to absorb and contain an explosion should the bags of powder catch fire during an attack, this explosive **** then can used as a catalyst by the crew's own Ballistress, and 'fired' at an enemy vessel.

Finally, I'm on the deck of the ship, the sounds calm seas splashing against the hull echoing through the night. The remainder of the night crew working at this time ignore my walk, each attempting to simply avoid me as they work to keep everything going. Its then that a sudden large wave splashes onto the deck, putting out most of the lights, and soaking me. An icy sea splash was not what I wanted out of this little walk...

"Light!" Shouts one of the men, with a small light-blue flame appearing in his hand at his Utterance; he then guides his light to the nearby holster, ah, so that's how they work.

"On it!" A younger man replies, heading to the magical lights, and whispers his own Utterances of Light as he rushes from holster to holster.

Another of the crew, a woman with darker skin, walk to each of the crew and myself, whispering "Dry."

Suddenly, I'm no longer soaked to the bones with ice cold water, wonderful.

"Thank you." I say, trying to keep hidden beneath my now waterless cloak.

She nods, walking away to get that scrambling younger man dry. On the back of her neck however, I see a strange marking; a bone-white tattoo, which glows with a faint, sickly green light. It is in the shape of a scorpion, with it's tail instead being that of a scythe. This must be the other Mohun on board that Thrusk spoke of; and that must be the 'special tattoo.' I wonder what it's purpose is...

No matter, I walk about and up some stair to the back of the ship, and begin looking out over the sea. I can still see the cavern entrance etched into the sheer cliff face, which led to the town of Tomo in the far distance. Far closer than that are the two escort ships, which were only slightly smaller than the Maiyo's Kiss. They both kept close by nautical standards, no more than five ships distance from their charge.

"Enjoying the weather?" The familiar voice of Captain Thrusk asks, as she walks over to where I stand.

My feelings of disdain for her had somewhat numbed since she had Cilla remove her patch, so rather than remain silent, I replied; the anger in my voice told me this was a mistake.

"No." Was all I said, but the anger said more.

"A shame, I love these gentle, humid nights this time of year." She said, now standing beside me, attempting small talk. "So, 'Monster', what exactly are you? I've been alive two centuries, and never once have I seen something quite like you."

Thrusk's snakes were doing as they did when she was asking Cilla for why she joined the Light; writhing in anticipation.

I sigh, barely knowing the answer myself. I'm half shiftling, a species of shape shifting fairy, and some sort of dragon; with no specifics as to what, if any, subspecies of dragon is imparted into my new body... dragon... shiftling...

"Driftling." I say aloud; not even meaning to do so.

"Never heard of them. Must be quite rare, much like myself." Says Captain Thrusk, watching me intently. "I never did ask you why you wished for passage, instead letting your 'Handler' do so. Would you be willing to tell me?"

"Will you turn me to stone if I refuse?" I ask.

She laughs slightly. "I can tell you're immune to such things, dear. A blessing from that Gabriella's God, no doubt."

I perk a brow at that, but before I can ask, she answers. "Instinct. Monsters like us must follow our intuitions to survive. I can smell it in the air around you that my main means of dispatching of pirates, ruffians, and the such would be of little help should you attack me. I assume you have something similar?"

Hmm... in her heart, I hear that these questions are... to pass time, boredom. Not malicious information gathering against one's enemy... oh, wait.

"My hearing. I can hear... much, in heartbeats." I answer.

Smiling slyly, she says. "Truly? I've only ever heard of one now extinct sub-species doing so, one of the Light. Shiftlings... a similar name to your own kind."

Damn it... change the subject. She wants to know why I'm heading to Bounty... and she must be a follower of Maiyo...

"I'll tell you why I'm headed to Bounty, but only in exchange for something." I say, keeping my tone to an even medium; much like Cilla.

"Ooo, do go on." The serpent asks, her 'hair' dancing about, as if to try and summon my words like rainwater.

I want to know...

"I assume you're a follower of Maiyo, correct?"

She nods, even livelier than before, as the eager look in her eye putting Anaz to shame.

"Tell me of her Chosen, the story as you know it. The story of Tomoko."

She looks... disappointed?

"And here I was, hoping you would ask to bed me." Thrusk says, twirling one of her snakes with her finger, then looking at me with both deviousness, and a hint of angered need in her eyes. "I will tell you of Tomoko, but I want your answer first. Payment for making me get all excited over nothing."

Contemplating just ending the conversation, I give in, replying. "I'm looking for her. We... knew each other..."

Thrusk seems confused; no, shocked by my words, staring into my eyes with disbelief etched into her face. "You aren't lying... well then... Far be it from a follower of Maiyo to stand between two lovers."

"This is the story of Tomoko, Chosen of Maiyo, The Virgin Heroine."