[Still not heard from Ioannes :S]
[Please decide what you are going to buy from the witch (if anything) between yourselves so that I can close that part of the adventure.]
[You are correct about the problems with simultaneous stories, but it gives me the opportunity to have fun with more players than normal, so its a gain there. On the matter in hand, I am not that certain that Maia would say anything yet, and definitely not 'report' to the council. Remember though she has a Loyal trait of +2, its too early for that to come into play I think. Plus she has a very large streak of rebelliousness. Still lets say Scylax and Aristocles have heard more things about a supposed other Covenant in the area....]
[tab][/tab] At Aristocles question old man Anastaj pauses and turns his full attention to the young man, sky blue rheumy eyes gaze guilelessly up the magus' face for the cause of the question and the intention behind it. Scylax smiles privately then focuses on the vlach for any response, a fact that is not lost to Anastaj who spares a glance at him. He then turns and fixes his gaze into the night, somewhere beyond the reach of torchlight, deep in memory, his face taking on more wrinkles in sadness. The gaze is long, of someone lost in the realms of what has happened before, but in the end the old man gives a barely heard sigh and turns full face to Aristocles and gives an answer:
[tab][/tab]''No young Aristocles. There has been no other Covenant at our site before Meru Mudi'' The small ghost of a smile plays on his lips and quite unexpectedly for him he continues ''…but... there was once another covenant in those mountains that I so love to tread. It was home, both mine and Christoforos'es . Its long gone though, years before the fall of the City, half a lifespan away'' he stares at his open hand, full of deep farrows, criss-crossing lines and liver spots, composing his thoughts for a bit. Finally he clenches it into a fist and adds ''We were few, well past our prime. No matter what knowledge and power you think you have accumulated, no-one can stop time. Death comes to all of us, sooner or later. There are now only ruins and memories in that place... things for old men to chew over. You see... we dwindled, the few things we did faded away. Only I and Christoforos remained, then just me. We kept tabs on the people here though, like the families of those herders of ours in Vikos, and never joined another covenant, lived on the sufferance of others. We did think we should sow new seeds again in that same field, Epirus is too good a place to let lie fallow''.
[tab][/tab] He sighs again, shorter this time, then shows some determination ''I know some people do not like this. They have reasons. Some found it troublesome that a new covenant rises just as a backwater province of the old Empire rises into prominence and goes to war, a successful war if I might add. They judge by their own standards and motives, as if we would meddle in mortal affairs like that'' he sniffs. ''Others choked on inviting so many 'outsiders' to take a part in this covenant. It really stuck in their crow, let me tell you. The conversations I've heard...'' he shakes his head. He plods on in half explanation '' Christoforos and I though had stoked up goodwill with the older magi of the Tribunal, and quite a few shards, and we were adamant to make a new start. We kind of bullied our way through I must confess and that leaves hurt feelings behind. But we were running out of time... he run out of time evidently. Old age is a great equalizer, it cleans the slate no matter what we want. And we had nothing to show for our passing. Well... this new covenant will be something I hope'' He nods in conviction.
[tab][/tab]''One last thing'' he says in low tones ''The Elders of the Tribunal, some of them archai some not, do have some legitimate reasons to worry, not those rumors and malicious half-truths of the riff-raff you might have heard about. That is why we worked with them to incorporate provisions in our Charter'' he taps the side of his nose in a conspiratorial manner. He laughs in a low voice while he once more takes the path towards the tents. Once more he clams up and speaks no more on the subject (not even the name of said covenant). If pressed he evades and deflects in amusement, using old men phrases about the restlessness of youth and such. One thing is certain, there is a twinkle in his eye, an eagerness to meet the future...
[tab][/tab] Early morning finds you at the western cove that acts like a harbor for the few boats beached there. In the calmer waters of the cove a white ship with a single mast and a row of oars gently bobs on the early waves. It is a thing of beauty, not painted but made out of some kind of white wood, her name 'Λευκοθέα', the white goddess of the waves mentioned in Homer. Anastaj has take the captain, a tall man that came to shore in a small boat, and is talking to him privately in low tones. The captain is not liking what he is hearing from his body posturing, but Anastaj is very persuasive, taking with certainty and puncturing his phrases with short chopping motions. In the end the captain is convinced, a pouch of money is exchanged and he turns and yells for the two other sailors to load the boat with your things. You are suspicious of the exchange and wander if the vlach used magic on the man... he certainly has no qualms changing peoples' minds.
[tab][/tab] It is much later in the middle of the sea days after Delos, when a tired Anastaj comes out from the space he shares with an unconscious Ioannes to take a breath of fresh air, that you manage to ask about the transaction and what the fare was. Anastaj grimaces a bit; the price was steep for the change in plans, but it was already steep to begin with. Ships of Favonious are highly prized, everyone of the floating Covenant a marvel of construction and heavily enchanted to boot. Anastaj though had no qualms about the coins, you have enough and this was an emergency. He fears though that he might have caused some harm to your relations with others. You were supposed to share the ship and the trip to Thessalia with others, specifically the witches of Erebos that were on the island. Now they would have to wait another day for a different ship to take them to the destination. A minor setback but those women have a long memory and a nasty streak in them. This 'misunderstanding' might cause a sour in the relations between covenants, but Anastaj is certain you could make up to them in the near future. He is quite worried though about those rumors on the Katara crossing. It is very unusual for the pass to be closed in summer months...
[tab][/tab] The trip back takes a long as the trip to Delos, without the stops at Naxos and Nafplio. This ship is much faster than any you have even boarded, with some amenities included, the crew professionals that detect the slightest change in sea and wind. But instead of entering the Ambrakian lagoon and anchoring at Preveza, the ship goes north past Aktium. It is another night at sea while your ship sail in parallel to the Epirus coast on the right side and the Ionian sea to your left. There are a couple of small islands in this area, the Paxoi, and then you reach the straights between the mainland and the island of Corfu, as heavily fortified Venetian holding. The ship turns right towards the mainland and a bizarre set of cliffs forging into the sea, forming a natural protected cove. There lies the small port village of Grava (modern Igumenitsa). A deep blue harbor surrounded by hills, it is a good place for ships to anchor. And yet the place is little more than a village, as most ships either use the Island of Corfu or Bouthroton (modern Sarandë) much father to the north to port, depending on their affiliation to the West or East. The captain though wishes to hazard neither of those ports, so you have to make your way from here and over the mainland. Getting mules to carry your gear takes more money and the journey itself is tiresome and slow. The road is nothing more than a back-track path hunters use through the hills, and its takes you considerable time until you reach the Ioannina valley. It is a pity because Grava could potentially become the port city of Ioannina if someone could spare the effort (and coins). Still, such thoughts about mundane concerns are far from your mind, you can practically smell the mountain air. A small overnight rest at Ioannina then you make the final trek back to the Covenant through the northern Imperial road and Aristi. Its been some weeks since you left and the sight of your new home is welcome, the journey taking a toll on everyone. The experience though was probably worth it, there was a lot you learned. As you see the various grogs you have come to recognize by sight if not by name, approach your small group to help unload and make you welcome, you fell you have earned a long rest...
OOC>