Episode Twenty-Eight: Thy Quest Will Go On

Their fall onto the deck raises a ruckus. Down the walkway they see a well dressed man, an officer judging by his uniform. In his hand he has a revolver drawn. The group rights themselves, scrambling to their feet in the hopes of looking nonchalant. They find themselves back to normal and back in their clothing they were wearing in France but unequipped with their weapons and items. Again.

Castor is struck with a vision as she makes it to her feet. She sees a long corridor, the one in front of them but she flies past and up sets of stairs to another deck. She enters a well furnished room, inside a young man clutches something close to his chest. His face seems conflicted. Her vision blurs as long tendrils, lines of black pull her off the ship and over the railing. She is held in midair for a moment and turned around, giving her a view of an ominous, dark cloud looming in the distance. She’s tugged toward the cloud a long way away. Just before she reaches the black clouds she’s pulled underwater. She sees a glass dome resting at the ocean floor. A deep, foreboding, yet familiar pit rests at its center, disappearing into the depths. Beneath the dome yet  growing like a cage over the pit is, what appears to be, a tree. But at the top, it juts through the dome. It appears to move, waving in the current. Getting closer, Castor sees the tree is not moving, nor a tree at all but a mass of thousands of black tendrils roiling and tangling over themselves, vibrating. A pain sears the back of her head, through her temples, and in her emblem. She blinks and finds herself back among her friends.

The officer approaches, he speaks a different language but they understand him perfectly, as per usual. He holds up his gun but it's angled away from them. His posture is active and he seems ready. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”

Tobias, free of slings and splints but cursed with a heavy limp, says, brushing himself off, “I was walking these two back to their rooms and one of them stepped on my coat as you can see this is the result.”

“First class, sir, is confined to their cabins. What was that flash of light?” They all look around innocently.

“Perhaps someone behind us? I saw no light.”

“Tickets.” He demands holding out his hand.

They each pat themselves down trying to ‘find their tickets’.

“We must have left them in the cabin…” He blows a whistle and another man comes, unhurriedly to his side.

“Names.”

“George.” Says Tobias.

“Anne.” Says Ivetta.

“Jane.” Says Castor.

“Last names?”

“Listen, we must have left our tickets back in the cabin.”

“That's fine, but I need your last name. I have to check it against the manifest.” The three start to sweat.

“Stuart.” Tobias says.

Two other men come up and ask, “what seems to be the problem Mr. Brice?”

“Three passengers without a ticket. He said his name was George Stuart.”

They flip through a book of names momentarily, “I don’t see it.” The newly arrived man nods at the other two. “Surnames if you please.”

“Baker.” Ivetta supplies. The officer shakes his head.

“Smith.” Castor says. He snaps the book closed, his face stern.

“None of you are on the manifest.”

Tobias tries, “My passage was ensured by the church…They must have put down another name.”

The officer gives him a strange look, “Then you must have just arrived aboard the Titanic then, sir.”

“Yes, fairly recently.”

“Our stop in, well, it must not have been France.”

“Dublin.” Guesses Tobias.

“Just this past Tuesday?”

“Yes, Tuesday.”

The officer shakes his head, “I knew it! You’re one of those kaiedn, kaldine, whatever they are! Hands up!” He points his gun at them, the surrounding officers do the same.

Castor exclaims in shock, “What?!? No– we're not one of them!” Ivetta’s eyes blow wide, her jaw drops open.

Tobias seems to take this new information in stride saying, “Officer, we actively work against the kaldien and secrecy is of the utmost importance in our line of work. I'm sorry for the disturbance.”

A younger officer says, “you'll address him as officer Lowe.”

Lowe puts his hand up gesturing that it's fine. “We will treat you, sir, with the respect that any natural born Englishman has but we must take you into custody.”

He leads them up two decks, the few officers behind pointing their pistols at their backs. They notice that the deck is oddly deserted, save for crew patrolling the deck. And this ship has no sails, only large tubes billowing black smoke. To the East, behind the ship, looming off in the distance hangs a huge dark cloud stretching from sea to sky, a wall of dark thunderheads.

They’re taken up by unobvious stairwells in a zig zagging pattern. Some hallways are barricaded with furniture. Through the doors propped open can be seen the crew quarters definitely overburdened. Each room is far over the capacity it should hold. For a ship this big and modern it is dirtier than expected, the floors are not as clean and ship-shape as they might otherwise be. At the top of the ship, they enter the officers quarters. There, they are handcuffed to a pole in the center of the room. It is here they are left for several hours. Officers come and go, paying them no mind. There are not just well dressed people going to shifts but also those caked in black soot.

Castor takes the opportunity to discern what she can about the realm and relays it to her friends. She learns it is 1912, the late Edwardian period. Much like Germany, this is one of the larger realms that the residents believe continue outward. Curiously, she finds nothing outwardly strange about this realm. But this vessel tells a different story. One she can't quite grasp. She can tell the ship is huge, and made of metal and that there are 2,224 people aboard this ship. Even with that, they are moving at an incredible speed.

Lowe comes back after a few hours. “We've looked more thoroughly and you're definitely not on the manifest but the captain would like to speak to you.” He unbinds them from the pole but binds their hands together in front of each of them. He leads them on deck, a chill wind rips through them as he guides them to the bridge. There’s only a few people there. Lowe salutes the captain upon entering the room. “Captain, I have brought the new arrivals.”

The captain turns around and sighs. “I told you not to call me that, Lowe. The name’s Murdock. I’m the first officer, not the captain. But it’ll have to do, for now.” He sighs again, “so you’re our visitors then? Might I ask where you're visiting from?”

“Do you mind if I ask how much you know of the kaldien first?” Tobias asks.

Murdock shakes his head, “I’m sorry but I simply do not know who you are.”

Tobias acquiesces, “I am from Germany originally.”

“Could have fooled me. But it was the same for the other one as well, what was his name…? Tell me are you- you’re not kaldien. Are all of you chati?” Castor and Ivetta exchange looks.

“I am but a humble man of God.”

Ivetta says, “I must decline to answer that.”

“Well, it explains your accent.”

Tobias speaks a phrase in German, Latin, and Italian.

Murdock doesn’t seem to understand any of them, “I see you're a learned man.”

“We have done much traveling.”

“And we've had other visitors. One chati and one kaldien. I ask again, are you all chati?”

“As I said I am but a humble man of God.” Ivetta and Castor remain silent.

“The other chati wouldn't explain much either. His companion, the kaldien, also wouldn't reveal anything.”

Castor pipes up, “The kaldien, they–they actively try to kill chati. It's natural they would hide.”

Ivetta asks, “Who is this chati? We might know him.”

“I can't see how their names would tell you anything. It can’t hurt. Lee Yuan and the other would only respond to Montezuma. As soon as they boarded the ship they created quite a bit of ruckus. But we stopped them, put them to work.”

Cators is confused, “Wait, it's a kaldien and chati together? They’re together now? And the kaldien isn’t trying to kill the chati?”

“They did not have much to say but yes they were trying to kill each other. They arrived like you. That was how the seaman was able to identify the purple glow that arrived with you.”

“What are they doing here?”

“They wouldn't tell us but Lee seems the more agreeable sort.” An officer approaches Murdock and whispers in his ear. He nods and dismisses the man.

“This chati and kaldien, are they still here?”

“They are on board, but like you they have been subdued. We have the capabilities to subdue you further. If not with force of arm.” They once again grow aware of the three guns trained on them.

“We don't intend to cause trouble.” Tobias says.

Castor says, “We're just looking for something and then we’ll leave.”

“We’re here to find, among other things, a specific item. When we find it we can leave much the same as we arrived.” Tobias summarizes.

“That makes it difficult.” Murdock says.

Castor adds, “I know it's here.” She recognises Murdock as the man in her vision. “I know that you have whatever it is.”

“If I did have it, why would I give it to you?”

“Because we'll leave. You wouldn't have to keep an eye on us anymore and we wouldn’t cause trouble. We’d just go.”

“The reason we travel, appear and disappear, is because the kaldien are hunters. The longer we stay, the more problems it causes. The more of a target we become.”

“This is why I've posted men about the ship looking for visitors. But I cannot let you leave. Individuals such as yourself are needed on board this ship. You all know magic, at least I assume.”

Castor grows wary, “For what purpose would you need magic?”

Murdock sighs. “We need fuel. We had coal and we had wood. But we’ve depleted these resources. Only with the appearance of these magically inclined individuals have we made it this long. An exchange. We give them food, they provide power. But it's not enough. You really do not understand. You are not from this ship, why would you know?” He points out the window, “Look to the East, this cloud. It gains on us everyday. According to the wireless, it is certain doom.”

“The what?” Ivetta asks.

“The telegraph.” Not wanting to bog the conversation down further Ivetta simply nods in faux understanding.

“Other ships have fallen into the fog and been destroyed in an instant. Only with magic has *The Titanic* been able to outrun it. I'm sorry but we might need your skills. We can only go so much longer. If we cannot escape this hell, why should you? There are other magical users aboard, and I would use the other women aboard the ship but only the kaldien and chati know how to keep the boilers going.”

"When did the cloud appear?" Tobias asks.

"In April of this year, we were set to dock in New York instead, a vast ocean that never seems to dissipate stretches before us. Our week-long cruise has turned into six months."

"I assume you have instruments aboard? What do they say of your bearing?"

"We sail westward."

"In my time sailors used stars."

Murdock shoots him an odd look at his comment but responds, "The stars over these many months do not move; they stay exactly where they were."

“I’d take a look but I don’t know that the stars are the same as in my Germany.”

“My Germany is not your Germany? I- don’t lay claim to any Germany, what do you mean?”

Tobias sighs, “I could not tell you what has happened during the last hundred years in my country here but if we were to go back 400-500 years, I could give you the day by day.”

He looks incredulous, “You are immortal?”

Tobias taps his limp leg, “awful mortal I'm afraid.”

“Thank you for not assuming we're crazy.” Ivetta says.

“We treat our prisoners with respect. If you can prove to be trustworthy. I don’t assume to understand or hope to know when or where you've come from. But your magic is needed here so we will put it to use. You two.” He points at Castor and Ivetta, “at least I assume you have it as it is the only women who have any sort of magic potential on this vessel.”

“Only women? But you said the chati and kaldien were ‘hes.’” Castor questions.

“They are not from here.”

“How many women?”

“Only a few, 6 or 7. These few have allowed us to survive. They catch enough fish to feed the entire ship. Without them we would have starved to death months ago.”

Tobias asks, “Do you know where we are?”

Murdock sighs, “According to the helmsman, we've been around the earth 30-40 times over. I believe we should be somewhere around India.”

“When was the last time you saw land last?”

“Doublin. Six months ago.” he sighs, seemingly very tired and contemplative, “you have magical experience and I have need of your skills.”

Ivetta responds “Some but not a lot, but you have to understand our reluctance, we've been targeted. And your reception was slightly less than friendly.” She jangles her manacles.

“A necessary precaution.” He waves it off, “Do you know spells or magic that might make a man different than what he once was?”

Ivetta says, “We don't know how exactly that would be done but we have some experience.”

“We know of people who have been seemingly drastically altered from what we once knew.

But we are not sure if they became new or what was there was twisted.” Tobias replies.

Murdock hesitating slightly says, “The captain and his chief officer… very quickly after the 14th came down with an illness of the mind… They are not… themselves. They are confused, they babble, speak nonsense.”

“Did they come in contact with the other two?” Ivetta asks.

“No, they were afflicted a few days after the cloud appeared. Do you know of a way to stop it?”

Castor says tentatively, “I- might be able to dispel their magical afflictions. It may have something to do with the cloud. If we got rid of that it might do something…”

“Might you be able to dispel the cloud?” Murdock looks determined.

“I've never tried– something so–big. But I might try to help the captain…”

“I would be grateful.”

“It might help if we were free.” Castor holds up her manacles and makes an innocent, pleading face.

“If you can prove to be useful, your restraints will no longer be necessary.” Castor sighs, and lowers her hands.

“Have you checked for poisons?” Ivetta asks.

“We don't have an expert, but I’ve had the doctor check them, there’s nothing he can see. One of the sorceresses has looked them over and has found she can do nothing.”

“What is her level of skill?”

“Skilled enough. Capable of subduing the other visitors and catching fish.”

“Catching fish?”

“Seven women catch fish for the 2,224 men aboard.”

Sheepish she replies, “Ah. Well what about the other two?”

“Both seldom speak. We’ve not got much from them. They are subdued below deck. I have men posted, guarding them at all times. Your magic may make you fast but we can be just as fast.” He nods to the guards who still stand lined up behind them with their guns trained on their backs. “Look, we’re not here to cause trouble.” Ivetta says.

Castor says evenly, “We’ll do our best to help.”

He nods, “First we’ll have you look at the captain and chief officer.” He addresses a guard, “Mr. Chapman, please take them to the captains quarters, watch them at *all* times.”

“Yes sir.”

Chapman takes the motley trio down a deck and to the captain’s door. He knocks. “Sir, are you decent?”

There’s no answer save a maniacal laugh. He turns to the three, “ready yourselves.”

He opens the door.

The captain, a seasoned sailor, sits on the bed, disheveled, his white beard overgrown and clothes torn. He rocks back and forth the bed squeaking rhythmically. He mutters to himself, "The war, the war, it's here." Castor detects magic finding it all over the room and inside the poor captain. Tobias says a prayer, something about lepers and how Jesus will help them.

The captain snaps out of it for a second,

"Hello my friends, welcome. I-I… my friends where were we…?"

Castor approaches cautiously, "hello there… how are you feeling?"

He jolts up pointing at her, "You! I know you! You planned a mutiny! Tobais stands in front of her blocking his view. He backs down immediately.

Ivetta examines him from afar then says, "it's like no poison I've ever seen."

Back rocking on the bed he shouts into the sky, "where will we go? I can't say where we will go…"

Castor raises her hand and attempts to dispel magic that enthralls the captain. She recoils immediately, a shock stinging her hand. “Ah!” She holds her stinging hand.

"Ah, ah, yes the pain, but not…hehehehe!" His crazed laugh ends and he grows serious pointing at Ivetta, "You, woman! The woman! Do not trust! She hurts me at night. I see her in my dreams always, always. Oh the men, I miss them my best… It hurts me. I could have saved them…"

"What does this woman look like? I might have seen her." Ivetta asks him. He doesn't respond. Castor tries to touch him again.

"Don't! Don’t! Evil woman, evil!" Ivetta tries to get him to calm his breathing. "You, you woman, not to be trusted. Magic woman, leave!"

"Do you want her to leave? I might be able to help." Ivetta soothes.

He speaks in sing-songy voice, "I know where this all ends. Let me tell you about the places. All the places you will gooo."

"Where will we go?" Ivetta prompts. He simply hums to himself.

Tobias steps in, "I don't know if we'll get anything more out of him."

The guard asks, "Would you like to see the first officer?" The three nod, Castor giving the captain another sad glance on the way out.

They're led to the infirmary. A doctor with an apron on comes up and greets them. He, like everyone, looks weary, stubble dots his chin. A pregnant woman and a man with a broken arm rest in other cots. The first officer is chained to a pole, sitting on a cot. "Doctor Brewe at your service." He speaks with an Irish drawl.

Tobias begins, "Is there anything you can tell us about the patient?" He nods to the officer.

"Nothing more than… there doesn't seem to be anything physically wrong."

"Might we take a look?" Castor asks.

"Are you a doctor?"

"No but we have experience with magic. Besides, Mr. Murdock wanted us to take a look."

"In that case, be my guest. I'll attend Mrs. Dick." He escorts them and introduces them to him before he leaves them to their own devices and attends the pregnant woman.

They approach the officer, he too is disheveled but he doesn’t rock back and forth as the captain had. He speaks first to them, “Hello, who are you? Are you going to hurt me again?” He casts a furtive glance at Ivetta and Castor, “N-no women allowed.”

“Mr. Wylde, please. Be nice to these people, they’ve come to see you.” Mr. Wylde eyes them suspiciously.

“Don’t worry, we’re trying to help.” Castor tries to reassure him.

“Help how?”

Ivetta chimes in, “We can help make the woman disappear.”

He cringes, “No! No-no-no- she’s always here! Always!”

“Would you like her to go away?”

He turns sour, “You can't trick me! I can seeeee things, you know. I see the chaplin. He sees you.” Castor approaches slowly trying to dispel the magic overtaking him. He cries, “you won’t get away with this! Understand me, woman?!” The spell fails and he cries again, “You’re just trying to hurt me!”

Ivetta shushes him gently before asking, “Do you see a woman wearing purple in your dreams?”

“Trying to trick me!”

“No, Mr. Wylde, Henry. We’re trying to help. Has she taken control of you?”

“Speaking will only make it worse!”

"Then… can I see…?" Castor reaches toward his head her fingers splay over his temples, chains of her handcuffs clink gently in his face. Her skin touches his skin. Immediately her eyes roll back in her head. Her knees buckle and she keels over sideways, beginning to seize, foam overflowing her mouth. Her muscles tense and freeze, manacles biting into her wrists as her body uncontrollably strains.

Ivetta freaks out begging the guard, "Please unchain me, let me help!"

The doctor runs over, "what happened!?” He assesses for a brief moment before declaring, “She's having a fit!"

Ivetta continues fretting,"It’s something magical, please I can help her!" Lowe unbinds her and runs out the door. The doctor tries to aid Castor, turning her head to the side. Father Tobias assists, putting a belt in her mouth to stop her biting her tongue off. They hold her down, stopping her hurting herself even as she jerks in their grip.

Ivetta tries giving her friend mana but her fingers spark and singe. When it fails she tries over and over to dispel the magic surrounding Castor’s seizure-ridden body.

The guard burst back in followed by a slightly sweaty and disheveled woman. She guns toward them, making it up to them just as Ivetta succeeds in dispelling whatever magic possessed Castor. She stops convulsing. Her form falls limp and lax. Tobias and the doctor release their hold.

She groans awake, spitting out the belt and wiping the wetness from her lips, "wha- wha happen'?" Ivetta helps her sit up and hugs her.

The woman demands,"Who are you? What were you doing? Who let you in here?"

Castor seems out of it, her words slurring slightly, "I w's tryin'- help. Thought I could- see what he was seein'. Buh th'n evr-thin' wen' dark."

She scoffs, "I suppose the *captain* sent you to poke around. I tell him he knows nothing of magic. You know not what you were doing!" She marches up to the guard and pokes his chest, "You tell Mr. Murdock he will not interfere with my sphere as I do not in his!" She huffs off.

Ivetta helps Castor sit on a cot. The doctor looks her over, taking her pulse and looking at her eyes. "Your breathing and heart rate are up. Otherwise, physically, you are fine. But if you have any...aftershocks, return here and I will see what I can do for you."

She nods mutely, Ivetta thanks him and they stand.

Lowe pipes up, "I think you've done all you can for the night. I'll take you to your quarters." He directs them to one of the first class rooms. It's more than spartan, it's empty. The beds have been cleaved from the walls, cabinets and wardrobes vanished, porcelain tossed overboard. There’s not a furnishing to be found. Everything and anything unnecessary and able to be burned have been tossed or been made into fuel.The wall is taken up by a massive window that reflects the dark sea. From the ceiling protrude odd stiff strings that look to have been cut likely held a lamp. They sleep on the floor on thin mats. Before they turn in they discuss their options and ideas about the situation.

Castor takes her time etching a dispel magic glyph onto Tobias' glasses. It isn't visible but if one could see it it would appear as a crack in the glass. She explains all he need do is touch them to whatever magic he wants to dispel. She thinks more on her vision and that pit…she knows it's familiar, like she’s seen it before but she falls asleep before she can think where.

They wake earlyish as is customary but they are left alone in the cabin for the duration of the morning. Through the window they see that it’s a clear day. They are let out periodically to use the head and they are brought lunch around midday. As they finish up their meal of fish a knock comes at the door. Murdock walks in. “Ah, I see you’ve finished eating. It's not much but the cooks do well with the little we have.”

“It was good, thank you.”

He nods, “I see you did not make much headway with the Captain.”

“The magic surrounding him is strong. But that on Mr. Wylde was less. It may be slightly easier to help him.” Castor says.

Murdock sighs, “I thank you for your efforts but it is a moot point now. Ms. Barber did not appreciate your attempts last evening. Instead, I’ll be placing you in the boiler room.” This means pretty much nothing to them so they stay silent. He directs his gaze to Tobias,“Can you sail?”

“I can navigate but I’m a priest first and cavalry officer by trade. I assume you still use artillery?”

“Unfortunately, there is none aboard.”

Ivetta pipes up, “I notice you have a pregnant woman aboard. My mother was a midwife. I know a great deal about medicine. Perhaps I can be of help there?”

Tobias interjects before Murdock retorts, “It won’t help that woman or her baby if they both get caught in the cloud. You would be better suited to keeping the ship going.” Ivetta gives him a dirty look.

Murdock nods and says, “You have expertise as a soldier? You know field medicine? You can’t feed the boilers, perhaps you can help the doctor in the ward.” Ivetta’s scowl deepens.

“I will help where I can.” Tobias replies.

Castor speaks up, “If–if I could maybe just touch the object we came here to find…? In another place the sky was falling and I just touched the object and the calamity stopped. If I could do the same here… there's a chance the cloud would just… stop.”

“I’m sorry. I do not know what exactly will happen.”

“Even If there's a chance this could simply end?” She pleads.

“It might just stop but it might cause some calamity. I can’t take that chance.” Castor deflates.

“What is this object exactly? You don't seem to know what the object you’re looking for is.”

Castor says, “It can't be large, it fits your hand. I know you have it. I saw you with it. You looked conflicted.”

“Saw me?”

“In a… vision...magic things…” She doesn’t meet his eyes.

“It might be something precious to you.” Ivetta supplies.

“I have nothing of the sort.” Murdock says.

“Can we speak with Ms. Barber at least?” Castor asks.

“The sorceress will have had a long day, she’s fishing. The women can't run boilers.”

Castor hardens her resolve, “alright, I’ll be honest, I am a chati but my friend here is not. I can work these boiler things.”

He looks unimpressed, “and what does that mean?”

“She can use magic but I-it its regular magic. And when there are more than one chati in the same realm–”

“Realm?”

“Ah– place. In the same place it makes them both less powerful.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose, “You can create fire, yes?”

“Yes.” They reply in unison.

“Then you can both work the boilers. The other women do not know how to create fire.”

“We could show them.” Ivetta volunteers.

He sighs, “The women we have found with the capabilities have done so of their own volition. They are self taught. Besides which you would serve better there for now. Perhaps later we can discuss this.” He turns and leaves, directing the guards to escort them to their respective stations.

Officer Terrell escorts Tobias to the infirmary. Terrell stands outside the door and the doctor greets Tobias. “I was told you were coming, what are you useful for?”

“Amputation, field dressings, and the like.”

He breathes a sigh, “Thankful none of those are required here. There’s only Mrs. Dick and Mr. Wylde.” He’s given duties, mostly menial tasks. As he does them, Tobias takes his glasses and taps Mr. Wylde with them, hoping to dispel the magic. Unfortunately, nothing happens. He finishes his assignments and then the doctor passes time making small talk. He speaks of his wife whom he misses and of his adventures. He says he’s been all over Africa, Egypt, and Rome. Tobias asks him who the current pope is. The doctor gives him a curious look but responds, “Pope Pius the 12th. Why do you ask?”

“I travel the world. Some places it's harder to get information than others.” Their talk continues as they’re served dinner there.

Castor and Ivetta, meanwhile, are taken below decks and shuffled into a small square room. The stoic guard follows them in closing a metal cage door behind them. Castor throws a fearful look to Ivetta. Suddenly the room lurches and they move downward. Through the grate they see floors moving up, it is hard to get a good look out for furniture blocks off the other corridors. Behind the blockades they can hear other people talking catching brief glimpses of them.

They reach a point after several blockades go up where the box comes to a halt. The guard opens the grate and starts walking down a dark, metal corridor. Down here it is very loud.  Castor has to practically shout to the guard, “what on earth is that noise?”

“The engines.” He calls back.

“What?”

He gives her a look. “The engine. It moves the propeller.”

Castor gives another look to Ivetta. “He doesn’t seem worried about it. It must be normal.” Ivetta tries to soothe.

“Whatever animal that is, I hope they have it under control. Maybe that’s what this boiler thing does? Warms water for it?” Their speculation comes to an end as the corridor narrows to a single- person stairwell. One by one they go down stairs, still held at gunpoint by their un-talkative guard. Another guard opens a big door as they arrive at the end of the hall. Inside there is a line up of fifteen burly big dudes armed with shovels. Four uniformed officers with revolvers sit close to the door. All these men guard the two figures shooting fire out of their hands into huge metal tubes. Heavy implements hold their ankles and tether them to the metal floor.

One of the officers stands up introducing himself as Bert Pitman. Although the heat in this metal room is nearly unbearable, he has his uniform jacket on. Pitman dismisses the other guard who led them down here.

Pitman addresses the room at large, “Welcome our two new visitors. Watch them as the others. Treat them as if they're just as dangerous.” He says in a quieter voice so only they may hear, “At least I hope you're not.”

The two launching fire into the boilers turn, but continue firing. Lee Yuan is a Chinese man, his black hair tied up in a bun. He has a dragon tattoo on his left arm, and a golden hoop earring in his ear. His clothes are lightweight and stained with soot.

Montezuma has his shirt off but a tattered cloak on, covering his back. He appears to be Mezo-American or Spanish. His bald head gleams with sweat and he, like Lee, is covered in soot. They both turn away after a short glance at the two girls.

“Get to it.” Pitman commands. Ivetta and Castor shuffle forward. Ivetta begins blasting fire into the boilers. Castor hesitates, unsure of her ability to do that. An idea strikes her. She holds out her hands but fire does not shoot from them, she closes her eyes in concentration.

The officer becomes suspicious, “what are you doing?”

“If this works, I can make a marking that will continue to make fire. Please, I can’t make blasts like the others, but I can help this way.” Her honest face and imploring expression make him back off although he warns her, “Try it. But if you do anything wrong…” and he holds up his gun. She gets the message. She is, however, successful in creating a glyph in the furnace, perpetually creating fire. She spends the rest of the time trying to strengthen it.

Montezuma speaks to them in a language they can't understand and yet, as per usual, they understand. “Are you kaldien?”

“No.” Castor says.

“Then what are you?”

Ivetta answers, “None of your concern.”

Pitman yells at them, “Stop talking, you!”

“You can’t trust them, Pitman.” Montezuma calls to him. Pitman rolls his eyes and sits back down.

Castor speaks to Ivetta in Italian, telling her a joke as a test to see if the other two understand her. They make no indication they can. So she speaks privately to Ivetta, “should we tell them?” Ivetta shrugs, “here might be the best place to with all this ‘protection.’”

Striking up a conversation with them, Castor asks, “So what are your names?”

Montezuma says nothing. Lee says, “you can call me Lee.”

“Oh boy, that was quick,” Montezuma chuckles.

“That’s Montezuma.” Lee says.

“Anything wrong with being civilized?” Castor prompts Montezuma.

“With his kind there is.”

Feigning innocence, she asks, “His kind?”

Lee speaks slowly, enunciating, “*his* kind have a vendetta against me.”

Montezuma scoffs, “That's an understatement.”

“Why?”

Montezuma stays silent. Lee says “I can’t say that I know.”

“Well, it's nice to meet you both anyway. I’m Castor.”

“Interesting name, where are you from?” Montezuma asks.

“I’m Ivetta.” She says dodging his question.

Montezuma says, “From Italy then? You might want to hide it better.” He jerks his head toward Lee. “He'd know a few things about trying to stay hidden.” He laughs to himself, uncaring he’s the only one who finds it funny.

“You're an interesting guy, where are you from?” Castor asks him.

“Somewhere you wouldn't know.”

“Try me.”

“Where I'm from does not matter but I was trained at the temple of the kaldien.”

“You don’t say.” Ivetta whispers under her breath.

“What about you Lee?”

“I believe you'd call it China.”

“Ha! That's more than I’ve gotten out of him. You should have arrived sooner. We could all have been fast friends.”

“So you don't want to be here either?”

“Neither of us want to be here.” Montezuma says, angling his head so the officers can hear.

“Oh, but we'd miss your friendly disposition.” Pitman mocks. The crew laughs.

“How did you get here?”

“We had a bit of a scuffle and landed on the ship.” Lee says.

“That’s one way of putting it.” Montezuma huffs.

“Where were you before?”

“Does it matter?”

“It could.”

Montezuma boasts, “I found ‘im in Buenos Aires about a hundred years ago.”

“Yes, he tracked me down.”

“Almost got away too. Almost.”

“I used a waypoint I had on me. It took me here.”

“And me with him.”

“I don't suppose you still have that waypoint, whatever it was?”

“No. It was lost as we fought on deck.”

“Obviously you don't have another one.”

“Wouldn’t be here if I did.” Montezuma grumbles.

“Do you know what you're looking for here?” Castor addresses Lee.

“Yes but I have no desire to obtain it.”

“He thinks he's doing a service to these ingrates here.” Montezuma raises his voice so the guards hear. Pitman gives him a stern warning.

“So, he doesn't know what it is.” Castor assumes aloud.

"No, he doesn't." Says Lee.

“The one time I need you to shut your mouth!” Montezuma snaps.

They continue expelling flames into the boilers each day for about sixteen hours a day. Castor feels very at home in the hot environment, taken back to her days in the forge where she spent most of her youth working the same hours. They get shifts so not all of them work at the same time and so they might get 8 hours of sleep. But there is overlap so they see one another more often than not. Each night, at the end of workday, finds the two young women too exhausted to do much more than chow down on their fish dinners and fall asleep. Castor doesn’t have the energy to bother to meditate nor finds the time to talk to the other magical ladies.

Tobias spends his days in the med bay assisting the doctor on things that might come up as well as tapping his magic- negating glasses on the first officer a few times a day.

At the last, they find themselves together in their cabin. Castor, eyes drooping as she forks a bit of fish into her mouth asks Father Tobias,”Did the glasses work?”

“Not yet. I’m not entirely sure what to do with them.”

“All you have to do is touch them to him. Please, keep trying. There’s not a lot more we can do at the moment.”

They continue the cycle of work trying to get to a time with just Ivetta, Castor, and Lee. Tobias learns of what Castor is doing to propel the ship and suggests she instead put the glyph on an object so that it might be taken out of the furnace in case they need to stop for any reason. She follows his advice requesting a shovel to do so. She’s denied outright but Pitman tells her if she can find something else he would allow it. She brings the plate from her dinner. She creates two mediocre flames equal to Ivetta's input.

By the evening of the fourth day, they are able to have more reasonable shifts. It takes five days to get a shift without Montezuma. Finally alone with Lee, Ivetta, and Castor strike up a conversation.

Castor turns to Lee and whispers as quietly as she can in the loud room, “I am also a chati.”

He doesn’t look surprised, only replying, “I wish I could tell you what that means.”

“So you’re pretty new to this?”

“I’ve done magic my whole life.”

Castor is awed, “So, where you grew up…it was…accepted there? You didn’t have to hide it?”

“No, we didn’t. Though I have heard of places that don’t. I’ve tried to stay away from Europe.”

“So you don’t know anything about chati and kaldien?”

“The first I heard of them was from the mouth of Montezuma. He wishes to capture me and take me somewhere…”

Castor looks sideways, “We’ve had similar experiences…” He doesn’t reply to this. “Did you… perchance see a vision when you arrived here?”

“A vision? No, but I felt terrible pain. Something is here…hiding. I do not know what. I find it difficult to meditate– quiet my mind here.”

“We were hoping to find our waypoint. You said you know where yours is?”

“I seem to have lost my waypoint.”

“You’re not looking for a new one?”

“No.”

“You use the same one?” They ask, incredulous. He simply nods.

“It’s possible the captain has it.” Ivetta says.“What was it?”

“I lost it during the fight when we arrived, a golden trinket had for some time. It is a star with many sides. I wore it around my neck. But I don’t necessarily need it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can make a waypoint out of anything.”

“You can use anything?!?”

“Yes.” He doesn’t flinch at their surprise. “But I prefer to use that.”

“But you will want to leave at some point.”

“Not as of yet. When or if I find people more agreeable, I will wish to leave.”

“What about Montezuma?”

“I’ll not leave him here.”

“But he'll kill you or-or try to!”

“I'm not worried about him. I am attempting to dissuade him from his path.”

“You want to try to make him a better person?” Ivetta laughs slightly. He gives a half smile.

Castor speaks again, “Can I ask…why are you here? That is, what is your quest? Why did you leave your home?”

“Why did you?”

“We had a v-vision from God.”

“I have my own reasons.”

“You help people right? What about this cloud, has anyone tried dispersing it?”

“How do you suggest?”

“You could try to disperse magic spell.”

“I do not know how to do this. Obviously our paths diverged in our learning.”

Ivetta suggests, “we can teach you how to dispel magic.”

“Why?”

Castor points out, “In case of evil magic. Like–like with the captain and–and the chief officer. They have evil magic overtaking them.”

Lee seems to have been unaware of this. Castor explains what they know and what happened when they tried to help. Until she segues into explaining what she knows about chati, aschar, and kaldien.

Lee explains that he has done something similar but that he didn't know the name of it. He casually mentions that he has had many lifetimes experience this power.

“Wait what? How old are you?” He shrugs, unsure.

They ask more about his waypoint. He tells them it is a gold necklace from his mother. She died when he was young. He’s curious as to why they want to know.

“If we find where the object came from it might help us find it.”

"Don't want to wait to leave until the cloud is gone?”

“Yes but we still need to find it.” Ivetta says.

“We thought you might have an idea about the cloud, since you’ve been around it more. You might know how to get rid of it.” Castor interjects.

Lee thinks for a moment, “I don’t know much but I can guess…perhaps something at its source.”

“What about Ms. Barber? What is your opinion on her?”

“She seems rash, hungry for knowledge but I wonder what she will do with it..

Back in the infirmary, Tobias continues his duties. He tries again to dispel the magic on Mr. Wylde. This time he grabs his head and falls backward in pain. The doctor rushes over to him. He throws his head back whacking him in the face, the doctor reels back, Tobias catches his collar before he hits the floor. Suddenly, Mr. Wylde stops having his fit.

Tobias addresses him, “Henry Wylde. Henry? Officer Wylde, are you alright? Are you okay?”

He blinks several times and looks up to him, “Y-yes? Where am I? Who are you? What's happening?”

“My name is Tobias. You're aboard a vessel.”

“The *Titanic*?” He grabs his head again, “gah, do you have anything for my splitting headache?” The doctor, now recovered, agrees and leaves to retrieve it.

Tobias tells him, “Take your time, I will fill him in.” He turns back to Henry, “The ship has been running a few months now. It’ll probably be fine to run a few more hours while you rest.”

“I'm sure the captain is more than capable. How long have I been asleep? I must have taken quite a fall.”

“I'm a recent addition. A fall…” he pauses, “I’m afraid I must tell you…It’s been six months.”

He looks flabbergasted, “Why am I still aboard?”

“It hasn't made it aground yet. Many– unbelievable things have been happening.”

“Tell me… slower.”

“The ship left from its last stop in Europe shortly after a dark cloud appeared. It was about then that both you and the captain were overtaken.”

“What do you mean? Who is running the ship?”

“Murdock.”

“I’ve been asleep for 6 months?”

“Not asleep. A form of madness, one could say. You had a lesser case than the captain, he is still afflicted.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure. But we know something of the nature. The ship has already gone through coal, wood, and now it resorts to…there is no easy way to say this–”

“H-how?”

“There are things at work here that I don't claim to understand.”

“I'm sure I can… please.”

“The thing that powers the ship now has been overtly magical in nature.”

“You speak of magic clouds and sorcery?”

“The thing that freed you from your madness was not me but these glasses.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I don't expect you to. These have a spell on them.”

“How is the ship functioning?”

“To tell you the truth, I'm not sure.”

“But magic…is it feeding us as well?

“As far as I understand. Unfortunately, the ships I am familiar with are made of wood. When I appeared here I could offer little assistance in that department.”

“Who–who wields this magic?”

“There are several people. Visitors such as myself, though I am not capable.”

“The officers, I'm sure. Strong men like them.”

“In actuality it appears only the women seem capable and at that only a few.” Henry gets a real bad headache.

“I remember– I was in my cabin before now. There was a woman in my cabin but the door was locked there was…” he hesitates.

“Do you remember her hair, any features?”

“No, I remember the click. Her shoes made a distinct sound. I couldn't tell you where they were from. My wife could perhaps… but the lights were on yet I remember only darkness. Nothing after that.” He looks perplexed before he bolts upright, “This woman is aboard the ship! She was here! We have to find her!” The doctor, finally returning from the medicine fetching, pushes him back down gently.

Tobias remains calm as ever, “if she sees you walking about it might drive her to commit more heinous acts. Perhaps it is best that you remain here.” Henry nods.

“She may be disguising her identity. If somebody unexpectedly comes to visit, be on your guard.”

“I think I understand. I need a weapon.”

“I've not been afforded one.” At last Murdock comes in and is filled in on what Henry knows.

Tobias and Murdock step to the side. Tobias supplies, “We have run into a dangerous spell caster before it may be her. She's appeared in different times in different places. She could be disguised. If we change the pattern now and the person who did this looks for disruption in the pond they may be driven to do something drastic.”

“We can't stop them before figuring out who is the perpetrator. Figure out who cast the spell.”

“We’re doing our best.” Tobias explains the power held in his glasses, “I can try these on the captain but I'll need companions.”

“Yes, yes,” he agrees, “but later.”

He is sent back to the cabin where he meets up with Castor and Ivetta. Tobias describes what happened. “We need to find the person who did this. It sounds like she's probably on the ship.” Ivetta says.

Castor looks wary, “We don't… know that. I mean why? For what purpose would someone make the captain and first officer crazy and this cloud chasing us. How does destroying the chain of command benefit anyone? I mean Murdock is in charge. Is that particularly good for anyone?”

Tobias adds, “It's difficult to say. We don't know what the cloud would do if it caught us. But it may have been an attempt to sabotage the ship so that it would indeed fall into the cloud.”

“But if they have the magical ability to hex they could have made it easier.”

Castor is still unsure, “What is the goal? Where are we going? It seems like we’re just stuck. Nothing is happening and nothing is changing.”

“Lee was only able to make limited use of his magic, he's very skilled in a specific field. Maybe too much to presume all mages are highly skilled in all fields.” Tobias says.

“Good point.” Ivetta acquiesces.

“I- but what purpose does enchanting the entire ship fulfill?”

“Do we know if they enchanted the entire ship?” Tobias prompts.

“I mean the cloud and the captain.” Castor says.

“She means the situation. We’re locked in the same place, the ship isn’t moving, the stars don’t move.”

“I just don't understand why. Is it to pass time? Whittle away the amount of people? The captain said it was ‘certain doom’ if the cloud catches us? What does that mean that everybody dies? They slowly melt into acid? I don't want to stop the entire ship but we just don't know what actually happens when the boat stops.”

Tobias says, “I think if the person who has been casting hexes is still on the ship, probably with other mages. The women who have been gathering fish. It might be worth speaking with them.”

Castor says, “I did wish to speak with them. See what they think of it and what they might have been doing to counteract it. Apparently, women are the only ones with magic here so it has to be one of them.”

“Unless… there's a chance whoever it was has been hiding among the passengers. But it is worth speaking with the known sorceresses first. You could learn something even if the object of ire is not among them.”

“It's also possible that the sorceress portaled onto the boat, cursed these people and portaled out.” Ivetta says, chilling their spines.

“Let’s go talk to those still here…” Castor says warily.

She knocks on the door to their cabin, alerting the guard who escorts them everywhere that they want something. They’ve been freed from their shackles but are escorted about the ship. Now familiar and on a first name basis he opens the door. “Yes? What do you need, Castor?”

“Hey Bertram. Could we go talk to the other…magic ladies?”

“Um. I don’t think I can let you do that.”

“You can come with us I mean-”

Ivetta cuts her off, “It might help us figure out what's going on with the situation. It might further our efforts to escape the cloud.”

“I should get an ‘okay’ from the captain first.”

“What good is it for us to just go from the boiler room to her and back? This isn't helping us get rid of the cloud or help the captain. You can ask him, I'm sure he’d say yes. But he seems real busy.” Castor says innocently.

He thinks for a moment, “I'm sure the captain would let…alright I'll take you to them.” Castor flashes him a grateful smile.

He leads the three of them up the staircase and onto the deck. Most of the women are shoving off for the night. They look mostly first class, some have furs. In the chill October air they can see their breath. The group is tired and carry themselves as such, shuffling back inside. A normal looking woman and Ms. Barber are left talking on the deck. Ms. Barber sees them approach, catching Castor’s eye and her mood shifts. Her face morphs from tired to kinda done. Other woman leaves as well, Ms. Barber stands alone.

Castor approaches shyly, and holds out her hand, “Hi my–my name is C-Castor… ah, hi.”

Tobias puts his hand on her shoulder in support, “We wish to speak with you.”

She looks down her nose, her gaze is severe, “Yes we've met, Castor. My name is Ellen Mary Barber. You will call me ‘Ms. Barber.’ What is it you need from me?”

Castor stumbles nervously over her words, “Um… well this whole situation, the cloud and the afflictions of the captain. I– you're all so magical and I was wondering what your thoughts on it are. I think it's magical and you've been here longer… I don't really know what to think of it and I thought you might-might have an opinion...” Her words trail off as she loses confidence.

“It's a cloud that consumes everything in its wake, I would think that it being magical was obvious.”

“I mean yes, but do you know how to get rid of it maybe? I don't know, we could all work together and– and dispel it or something.”

“I don’t know if you've noticed but myself and the six other sorceresses aboard are busy feeding everyone one board. There's no time to deal with the cloud.”

“But if we get rid of the cloud then we won't have to run anymore. We can't run forever.”

“What makes you an expert on this cloud?”

“N-nothing I'm just saying there has to be a way out. Unless– you want to keep running until you die?”

Ivetta comes to the rescue, “We’ve encountered magical occurrences not quite like this but we've been able to dispel them. Surely there must be something we can do.”

“How did you dispel the others?” Ms. Barber turns to Ivetta.

“With a very difficult spell. I can't say I was a master of it. Another in our party, who is no longer with us, was the one who could successfully do it. But we could certainly try. I've seen it work before.”

“How?”

Ivetta demonstrates the motions describing the general performance of the spell. Tobias watches Ms. Barber’s reactions, finding her gaze steely and unimpressed.

“Is that it?”

“Yes.”

Castor says, “I don't think we can do it alone though. I think we need everyone who can possibly try, to try.”

“We can teach everyone. At night perhaps when they aren’t catching fish.” Ivetta suggests.

“There's no time. We work until we have to sleep. You don't understand, this takes all day.”

Ivetta insists, “Even twenty minutes a day, it could be done. It might take days but if it's the only chance we’ve got. At least we’re working toward a solution.”

Her face is pensive for a moment, then she says, “Tomorrow before we begin. Which one of you will be teaching?”

Ivetta volunteers. Castor suggests they trade off days.

“I will make sure Mr. Murdock will make one of you available tomorrow. We’ll start then.”

Tobias asks, “Ms. Barber, might I ask how you use magic to catch fish?” She walks over to the railing motioning them over. They all follow. She takes off one of her gloves and throws it into the water. She puts her hand out and levitates it back onto the ship, a fish wriggling in the glove’s fingers.

“I hope this satisfies your curiosity.”

Tobias looks to Castor and says “would you be able to replicate that spell on an item?”

She hesitates, unsure for a moment where he’s going with this, “Ah- yes the item would do it. The item I put it on would perform the spell. If i put it on a bucket–”

“What do you mean?” Ms. Barber interjects.

“I can put magic on items so they can do things. Like in the furnace I have spells making fire consistently, making the ship move. So if I put a spell on a bucket or–or a net it-it could raise fish to the deck perpetually. That– that might work.”

“Sounds like you'd pour water on the deck as well.”

“Not if it's a net.” Castor rubs her chin in thought.

“We don't have a net.”

“We could make one.” Ms. Barber motions about gesturing to the nothing on the deck alluding to the fact that everything not nailed down was burned.

“Ah-” Castor mumbles to herself for a moment about illusionary nets and how no, that wouldn't work. “I need to think about this.”

Ms. Barber says, “I have an idea. I’ll speak to Mr. Murdock. I'm sure we can get the necessary supplies tomorrow.”

“Something to consider at least.” Tobias adds.

“If you can automate this. We’d be greatly in your debt.”

“I need to think about it but it could work and then we’d have more time.”

They debate amongst themselves for a few minutes talking about ideas ranging from scraps of wood to platforms to broken lifeboats.

“Are there lifeboats, dinghies aboard?”

“What's a dingy?”

“It's a smaller boat to get off bigger boats to go ashore.”

“There's one, kept for emergencies. What do you need it for?”

“Potentially catching fish.”

“I thought you said the net?”

“A boat could work as well…potentially.”

Ms. Barber grows wary, “I don't know, I like the net better than the dinghy.”

Ivetta explains, “It’s whatever we can get our hands on. Whatever is available to free up time for you all to learn the spell and get rid of the cloud.”

“We need a larger object to catch more fish…” Castor begins.

Ms. Barber cuts her off, “Excuse me, but as much as I enjoy standing on this deck in the cold I must be going.” She turns on her heel and leaves.

“Thank you for your time,” Ivetta calls. They return to their room.

Castor, Ivetta, and Tobias arrive back in their cabin. The two young women, exhausted from having worked all day. Castor tries to meditate. She sits cross legged on her bed roll but almost immediately she pitches over, fast asleep. Ivetta laughs and joins her in sleep. Tobias communes and prays.

Oddly, he has a dream. Before the dark times in Germany, he sits enjoying dinner with a few comrades. Until it shifts. Brimstone comes from above, raining down. A man lit from above descends a set of stairs. Tobias knows him. He is Dante from the epic poem. But his face shifts incorporating Tobias’ own visage. He makes it to the bottom of the steps and looks around seemingly slightly lost. Something startles him from behind. A man stands there, St. Peter the first pope. Peter greets Dante like a warm friend, putting his arm around his shoulders and leading him forward.

Next morning he wakes up, his hand lashing out reflexively to grab the bible he keeps with himself.

A knock on their door. Burtrum tells both young women they’re not working in the boilers today and they have 10 minutes to get ready for their lesson.

Having seen Tobias’ odd behavior, Castor asks, “Ah- Did you have a bad dream Father?”

“I’m not sure, maybe that’s what's worrying.”

Ivetta worries, “Did you see her? The sorceress?”

“I don’t believe I get the same dreams as you both. I doubt it bears any significance. We should continue on.”

“I mean we are all on a quest from God, anything might be helpful… here.” Castor says.

“Even if you think it's irrelevant. It could have significance. It would be appreciated if you share it with us.” Ivetta says. He remains silent as he gets up and prepares for the day. The other two follow suit.

After 10 minutes Bertram knocks on the door again, “Let’s go.” Ivetta and Castor move toward the door. Tobias stays seated. Bertam adds, “Father, your presence is also requested on deck.”

“Very well.” He rises as well. He leads the way. All the magical women are present. To their surprise, they hold a net.

On the deck behind them, mounds of black, brown, white, blond hair are piled. The sorceresses all seem to have their hair still so they assume it came from those below deck. Seamen tie the hair together, binding them into nets. It is pretty clear they want Tobias’ miltary expertise to aid them in their efforts.

Ms. Barber walks up and says, “good morning.” They all respond in kind. She looks to Tobias, “I've heard of your military expertise, sir you will be helping the other gentlemen.” She motions to the sailors tying the net. She looks to Castor and Ivetta. “We’re ready for you.” Ivetta nods and goes to teach them. Castor moves to inspect the net.

Ivetta steps up, feeling very underdressed and slightly intimidated at the gazes of superiority looking down at her. The seven women stand waiting, Ms. Barber in front. Ivetta asks Ms. Barber to levitate her glove. She does so. Ivetta talks and explains the spell to the group before demonstrating. She describes what to think about and what emotion to feel. Then throws the spell at the glove. It drops to the deck. The women are all surprised that it works.

Ms. Barber is the first one who gets it and it dominos. Everyone, by the end of the hour, can perform the spell adequately.

Castor finishes the glyph on the net and tosses it over to test. If it works all it should need is someone to pull it back up. Ms. Barber comes over to her as they finish their lesson. "Any progress on the… magical net?"

Castor gives a gentle tug to the net, pulling up a mass of fish that squelch onto the deck. She turns and faces Ms. Barber, and beams. Her hesitating and anxious demeanor have vanished as she absolutely brims with happiness. The other women Ivetta was teaching exclaim, Ivetta comes over and hugs Castor. She too exclaims her glee.

Ms. Barber cracks a smile, one she schools from being petty and hiding the displeasure at being upstaged. She accepts Castor's superior skill and gives her a genuine smile, pleased that she and the others have been saved hours of labor.

Now with plenty of fish and their lesson concluded, the women help weave the hair into more nets. Ms. Barber comes over to them. “Excuse me.”

“Yes?” Castor says.

“I want to apologize. I seem to have misjudged you. You’ve been more than helpful.”

Another smile quirks Castor’s lips, “Thank you. I– I’m just trying to help.”

Ivetta adds, “We understand, It’s not like you had a reason to trust us. You've known us for a few days. It's alright.”

Castor agrees, “I’m just happy we can all work together to…you know, get out of this. We’re grateful for your help.”

Ms. Barber nods, “Perhaps, if you teach us how to make fire we can help in the boiler room as well. And, I would like to know how you make these glyphs.”

Castor perks up, “Certainly. We have more than enough time now…I think.”

Ivetta is wary at first of teaching the women more magic but Castor insists that it will only ingratiate them further if they are open and willing.

The cloud has stopped gaining and they continually go faster. A sustainable source of food.

A month passes. They have the chance to talk, investigate, teach, heal, plan, and meditate. Ivetta makes magical darts from fishbone. Ivetta and Castor teach all 7 women to do basic magic. Castor tries to teach Lee to dispel magic but when she demonstrates it he winks and performs the spell without needing teaching. An 8th has joined by the end. Castor makes more plates to run the boilers, relieving them all from the arduous task. Murdock has been unavailable for the past month. To their dismay, he seems to always be busy. Tobias talks with the guards getting the skuttlebutt. ‘He's busy,’ he hears from the crew. The captain is busy quelling rumblings below decks. There are whispers of the people kept in the dark below decks are unhappy.

For most of the month they are not allowed to go around unescorted by guards. Ivetta even has time to work in the hospital. They build rapport with the women, learning their names and befriending them. Most didn't care for them at first, clearly a classist thing but as they teach they warm to them.

Mrs. Lelia Meyer, Miss Mary Natalie Wick, Mrs. Anna Ableson, Miss Margaret Bechinstein Hays, Miss Helen Raginhild, Miss Emily Borie Reyerson, and finally Mrs. Barbra Lenox-Conningham. Most range from late teens to early 30s but their newest member is in her 40s.

Castor asks how thorough they were in finding everyone with magic. They say they have checked. Ivetta tries to look for a correlation between age and magical ability. But it's hard to know if young people are better at picking up skills or young people better at magic in general.

Their ailments are all healed except Tobias’ limp which seems permanent. Castor offers to help but declines, citing she's not a surgeon. She says perhaps someone in the future may be able to help.

After a time the guards don't follow or lead them around the ship but the guards all know exactly who they are and know where they’re allowed so if they try going anywhere they’re not allowed they cajole them into keeping to the rules. Come on now you know you're not allowed sort of vibe, relaxed but still policing.

They find to their excitement that the library is intact. Tobias finds a copy of Dante’s Inferno.  Castor tries to get her grubby little hands on every book she can find and learns the basics of French.

Father Tobias steps away from his duties for a moment. To speak with Ms. Barber, “Ms. Barber, do you have a few minutes to talk? I have a few questions I'd like to ask.”

“I’ll see what I can do father.”

“As you know our information about this time we find ourselves in is rather limited. I was wondering if those among you knew about their magical ability before we sailed from Belfast?”

“I know of at least one other who had an interest in extinct religions. The Athenians, I believe, the Greek gods. Is that what you mean? Something along those lines?”

“I must admit as an outsider looking in it seems strange to me that eight different people would suddenly, spontaneously discover magical potential as soon as the boat set off.”

“Well I hope you were not accusing us.”

“Of course not, I was just curious if anyone knew about their abilities before the ship set out.”

She shakes her head. “Not that I know of. My abilities did not manifest until the cloud appeared in our lives.”

“I assume your abilities first appear within your peers?”

“Naturally.”

“I would like to speak with this Athenian. Might you provide me with a name?”

She looks wary, “I don't know if I should betray the confidence of my sisters…”

“You did mention an appreciation for my military expertise. While I can assume that might not have been in good faith. I would like to impart some wisdom I gleaned from that line of work.”

She looks like she's heard this before but tries to seem engaged. “Should one pursue personal validation and perhaps personal advancement over that of the unit. Then the unit is likely to fail. I ask, kindly, that you consider the needs of the unit you find yourself in command of over personal validation.”

“If you must know, Father, *I* had an interest in the more niche understanding of the other-worldly. And that included the ancient Greek and Roman gods. You could say my interests were aligned for this happenstance.”

“And you said you’d not been able to demonstrate an aptitude for magic before the cloud appeared?”

Nods head, “like I said, only after.”

“Well, thank you for your time Ms. Barber.”

“Father.”  She walks toward the stern, away from everyone.

The three go to see Henry once more at the end of the night. The doctor is getting ready to leave. The pregnant woman is shy but on this visit, asleep. Henry is in his corner reading Sherlock Holmes. Castor approaches him.

“Oh hello,” he says, taking his reading glasses off and putting down his book.

“I don't suppose you remember me...”

“I don't remember you but I don't get many visitors. You must know Mr. Tobias here.” He nods to him in greeting, “Father.” He inclines his head in response.

“I– how are you doing? I-I-I’m Castor, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Castor. I’ve heard much about you and any friend of Ivetta and Tobias here is a friend of mine. What can I help you with?”

“I was just- how are you? How do you feel?”

“Feel fine. A little sore from sitting. The selection for dinner leaves much to be desired but I am grateful for it.”

“Still suffering from headaches?”

“Most of the time, but I pull through.”

“You don't remember anything that happened? Anything at all?”

“If I did I would tell you.”

“Just pain with the headaches? Any particular place? Temples, back of your head, above the eyes?”

“It likes to spread around.”

“Hmm.” She looks contemplative for a moment. Then she asks, “could I try touching your head?”

“If you think it will help.”

“It might… it might not. That's what I'm here to find out. But- if- with your permission, of course.”

Ivetta stands ready to catch her.

“Like I said, if you think it will help.”

She touches his temples. Immediately she feels her mana being drained. She jerks her hand back, shaking it. He scrunches his face up, “Ow! That– really hurt. I’d ask you don't do that again.”

“Are you okay?” Ivetta asks. Castor nods slowly saying nothing. The touch stole 10 mana in a single second. Castor realizes there's a permanent magical spell on him, a hex. She goes pale and gives him a worried glance.

“Tobias, could you get me a pain reliever?” He does as he bids.

“I–uh thank you for your time. I am sorry I caused you pain. It hurt me too.”

“I needed sleep anyway, this gives me good motivation.”

Castor speaks to the others when they’ve returned to the safety of their cabin, “There's a pretty permanent hex on him. It drained some of my magic. Ah- I don’t know how to break hexes. Elizabeth knew. She said it took a lot of magic and a long time but I don't know how to do it.”

Ivetta reasons, “If there's a hex on him. He probably has a physical mark. They said it leaves one. Maybe we could figure something out with that information.”

“Or if it looks Greek.” Tobias says.

“We should find out if he does.”

Castor replies, “The doctor would know, we don't have to ask Henry directly.” They go to the doctor to ask if Henry or the captain have a mark. He doesn’t recall the captain having one, it’s been a while since he’s examined him but Henry has something. He draws it up later and has someone drop off a sketch of the marking at their door. On his chest there are, similar to the one on Ivetta, three cracks in a circle. Seeing the similarity in the marks, Castor worries that Ivetta is also hexed and touches her. Nothing happens and she breathes a sigh of relief.

They’re given their dinner and a knock on the door. Their guard says, “your prayers have been answered, the captain will see you now.”

Tobias responds, “If the cloud is still there, not all of them have been answered quite yet but I'd be happy to see the captain.”

“Well at least some of them. Come on, let's go.” He leads them to the wheel house and opens the door for them.

Murdock is there, he sees them enter and reaches in his pocket. He finds his watch, peers at it, then motionions a well dressed man to whom he had been speaking. Both of them had been pouring over plans of the ship. The man rolls up the paper and takes his leave. Ivetta and Castor look him over, trying to spy the necklace. They only see he’s grown more tired.

“I know the three of you wanted to see me. I'm sorry I’ve been indisposed. But better late than never.”

Castor begins, “We understand. We- ah- need more information and to be able to see the captain to potentially help him.”

“Last time you saw the captain you weren't able to do anything, why would that change now?”

“We have more tools at our disposal.” Ivetta explains.

“The captain’s condition is not improving any. You might as well try. You've proven time and time again to be trustworthy. You have my blessing.”

“Secondly, we need to know about the cloud. What exactly does it do and how close can we get?”

“All we know is that any ships enveloped by it are never seen again. We lose contact with them. It was many months ago, the last ship we saw descended into the fog and we never heard from it again. Only some scrambles on the wireless.”

“But they actually went into the cloud? Not, say 300 feet or so away?”

“They went into it, yes.”

“Alright, I know you're not going to like this but, there's a chance we could dispel the cloud using all the magic users at once but I'm not sure. But we need to get within 300 feet of it.”

“I'm not willing to take a chance on ‘not sure’.”

“The problem is we’ve never dispelled something so large and we’ve never had so many magic users to do it. I don't even know what we could test it on. But–”

“There are over two thousand souls aboard this ship. I am not willing to sacrifice their lives based on a hunch. Now there is a lifeboat, one. I'm not sure what good it will do but if you could somehow use that to test your theory, I would allow it.”

“How many people could fit?”

“As many as there are magical beings aboard. But I cannot allow all of you to leave. If you are destroyed, died out there, we would be doomed as well.”

“Well, we have made it so there are things doing the work of people. So it won't be a total loss but it would be best not to let everyone go, yes.”

“From what Ms. Barber has told me, these things you have created will run out eventually. You need to be here to replenish them when they do.”

“That’s– I just don't know how long this can last. Are you willing to spend the rest of your life outrunning this cloud?”

“If it means keeping everyone aboard this ship safe then yes. If you think you can do something to stop it, I will let you but I will not let you sacrifice any members of this ship to do so.”

“Do we have permission to use the lifeboat if we promise not to let everyone go?”

“Yes. But you must run the exact plan by me before I allow you to go. But, yes.”

Ivetta interjects, “There's one other thing. Have you by chance seen a necklace?” She describes what Lee told her and gauges his reaction.

Shaking his head he says, “I thought you might ask about that again. What is this item to you? It seems to be important to them as well.”

“It has magical power that might help us in this situation.”

“What sort of power?”

“It has a charge that we could perhaps harness.”

“For what purpose?”

“We might be able to amplify the magic dispelling efforts.”

“All I know is that the two men who came aboard the ship before you, Lee and Montezuma, had quite the desire to get this item back. Whatever it is, it is powerful, I know that. You think it could dispel this cloud that has been chasing us?”

“It could. If we could see and examine it we could see if that is the case.”

He reaches into the pocket of his jacket and pulls out the waypoint. He weighs it in his hand. “What you’ve been looking for all this time. You think it will help our situation?”

Ivetta looks at him definitively, “Yes.”

He thinks for a moment and sighs, “Then I will give it to you.” he hands it to Ivetta. It buzzes in her hand.

“Thank you.” She hands it to Castor, “feel this. Feel the magic.”

Castor holds it, looking down at it a moment. The tiny, golden, six-pointed star gleams in her hand. Her fingers tingle from the buzzing pulse in her palm. She feels the ability to leave in her fingertips and closes her fist on it. She looks up at Murdock and smiles crookedly, “thank you.” And tucks it in her pocket.

He nods, “Is there anything else you needed?” The trio looks at each other and none says anything. “Well, one other thing, Father Tobias, there was a man, I didn't want to bother you; he was persistent. There's a man below deck, a priest, he says he's had dreams of another priest above deck. I don't know about it but if you'd like to meet with him I could arrange that.”

“I think it may certainly be worth looking into.”

“I warn you this man is…the trip has troubled him.”

“I imagine it has troubled many. All the more reason for a man of God to speak with him.”

“You have my permission to meet with him. I can have you escorted down or have an officer bring him to you.”

“Below decks are fine. It may be that I am able to help quell decent while there. Should any arise.

You have my permission. If there is not anything else.”

“We understand you're busy. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us.”

They return to their room. Tobias points out that it might be a good idea to keep the waypoint away from Montezuma. Castor agrees, trying to press the waypoint into his hand. He pushes it back saying, “If anything truly drastic happens you need to jump. Immediately.” She looks into his eyes and nods quietly. She wraps the chain around her forearm, keeping it out of sight under her sleeve.

Nearing the end of the month the three decide to go speak with Lee. They walk through the ship and find his room. Castor goes to knock but he says, “come in.” before she gets the chance. As if he knew they were coming. She opens the door and finds him meditating on the floor. He nods at the two he knows. A puzzled look crosses his face a moment as Tobias enters. “Oh, you must be Tobias. They have told me much about you.”

“They have?”

“They wouldn’t stop talking.” Sheepish, Castor turns red.

“What can I do for you?” He says remaining seated and closing his eyes.

“We just had-had a few questions. If you’re not busy… we don’t want to bother you…”

“If I have answers I will supply them.”

Castor pulls out the drawing of the hex symbol from the doctor and asks him if he’s seen anything like this before. He prys an eye open briefly and then shakes his head no.

“Alright well, have you made any progress on making Montezuma less…abrasive?”

“I haven’t seen him in a few weeks. Not since you…we decided to power the ship with your glyphs. The captain would rather we be kept apart.”

“That makes sense, I mean you were fighting when you got here. Um, speaking of which, we found your necklace.”

“You found it?”

She nods, "Mhm."

“Where is it?”

“Ah, we’ve got it. But-I- I’d like to propose a trade since I told you last time we spoke about it that it would be dangerous for you to keep it since they could track you with it. And-and it would be safer. Maybe, I could give you my necklace?” She pulls the cord of her own cross necklace up and over her head and holds it out to him.

“I would rather have my property back.” He opens his eyes.

She hesitates, “Ah-I mean but- you can make a waypoint out of a–anything...”

“I would prefer to make it out of what is mine.”

Castor stammers, “I-I-well- ah- you can have it b-but-it -I feel like it might help us more? Because we can’t make them and this is what we were sent to find?” Lee stands up and dusts himself off.

“Why would it help you?”

Ivetta comes to the rescue. “We don’t know. When we enter a realm we see, well Castor sees, a vision of what we have to find in order to travel to the next realm.”

“A calling.”

“You could say that.”

“yeah-b-but-I’ll-I’ll give it back if it means so much to you.”

“It is quite dear to me. I’d like to have it back.”

Ivetta says, “Of course we’re happy to give it back but we humbly request you make us or show us how to make another waypoint.”

He nods, “Where would you like to go?”

Both look incredulous, “you can decide where to go!?”

“I can create a waypoint to any realm I’ve been to or know of.” Jaws on the floor.

Castor mutters under her breath, “we could find Hollinzoller, but we don’t know where he is...”

“We might be able to find out. There's a spell for that, I'm sure."

“You wish to leave this place?” He asks.

“Not before we help but y-yes. Eventually."

“These people need your help."

“That's why we haven’t left yet.”

“Someone very close to us also needs our help.” Ivetta adds.

Lee looks at her, “Many others, quite nearer to you, need your help.” Ivetta bites her lip.

Castor insists, “We will help him when we leave. But that's why we’re still here, we have to try to fix this situation. Which is why I tried to teach you how to dispel magic, to get rid of the cloud. But after that, we’re going to leave… As we always do.”

Lee sighs, “I can see you believe that you’re needed elsewhere. I will not take this from you. I will allow you to keep it but…remember what I said.” Castor offers her necklace to him again. He graciously declines.

“You’re here to help too. Could you maybe…help with the cloud?”

“I hate to say it, but that is out of my area of expertise.”

“But you can dispel magic, which is pretty much the plan…” She trails off.

“I believe that the weather that follows us is more than simple magic.”

Tobias interjects, “Even if you don't wish to or have the ability to dispel the cloud. There is another use of dispelling magic I can think of.

“I’m all ears.” Lee says. Tobias looks at Castor and taps his glasses.

She follows his meaning and cries, “The–the captain we need to help him! Dispel the magic that afflicts him.”

“When I was first brought aboard they asked me to look at the captain. Whatever afflicts him, could not help.”

“We dispelled the magic on the chief officer, it worked. Maybe if all four of us all did it at once? You know more about magic.”

“I believe our fields differ. But I can attempt.”

“That’s all I’d ask.”

“Shall we go now?”

“If you’re not busy…” he gestures for her to lead the way. They go to the captain’s door and find it locked. They track someone down to open the door. The captain has eaten some of his clothes by this point. They all enter the room and stand before him. Tobais takes off his glasses as the mages prepare themselves. They all cast the spell at once and Tobias taps the captain.

Doesn't seem to work but then a glow surrounds his temple area. He stops rocking and raving, sort of falls forward to the bed and lies unmoving. Castor gasps and runs over to him trying to see if he’s dead. Thankfully, he starts snoring. Tobias looks at his glasses, nods and puts them back on. Castor breathes a sigh of relief and quickly jerks up his shirt to see if there is a mark. The guard at the door questions her, “What are you doing?” She finds the symbol and it looks exactly the same as that on the chief officer.

“She’s checking for the source of the corruption.”

“O-oh.” Castor prods the captain trying to rouse him.

“S-sir? Wake-wake up.”

He grumbles, “what? What do you want?”

“Are-are you okay?"

“What is this? Who are you?”

“It worked!"

“Get out of my room! You smell terrible!”

“Ah- I think you’ll find that it’s you… sir but I can't really smell you s-so I think you smell just fine…” The guard stumbles back and runs down the stairs.

The captain looks past the rambling Castor to Tobias and asks, “what's going on here?”

“You've been out of it for quite a while, sir.”

“Out of it?”

“I imagine your chief officer will be able to give you the most information. But we’ve…I suppose I can tell you, you have been steaming along for about 6-7 months now.”

“You’ve gone mad!”

“Interesting choice of words sir.” He tries to stand but his emaciated legs do not hold him. A group of men rushes up the stairs. Murdock is white faced and can't move for a moment. “...Captain?”

“Mr. Murdock what the hell is going on here?”

Murdock smiles and chuckles slightly. “I think you’d better give us the room.”

Castor turns to thank Lee but they find he’s already slipped out. They wait outside the door with several other men meandering, waiting for news. After a time, Murdock comes out, closing the door behind him. “I’ve brought the captain up to speed. I suppose…I should thank you for what you’ve done. I didn’t think I’d see the captain like this again. As you can imagine, he's a little shocked. But he's doing the best he can and has graciously accepted the circumstances. For the time being I am still in charge. I assume you three would like to speak with him?”

“Yes, please. I-if it's allowed.”

“The door is open, I will be out here if you need me.”

The captain has bathed and sits in a fresh pair of clothes at a desk attempting to trim his big ass beard. He stops when they enter. “Oh you three again. I’d like to apologize for my reaction to you. Under the circumstances–”

Ivetta speaks at the same time he does, “Under the circumstances, It’s completely fine.”

“So you are wizards. Is that right?”

“Uh- sure you could call us that.”

“Is this man here the chief wizard?”

He looks at Tobias who says, “I am just a priest.” and takes a half bow, briefly removing his hat.

Castor responds, “No. He doesn’t know magic… but he did help in dispelling your affliction.”

“I am grateful. Now Mr. Murdock said that you might need my help. I’m not sure what kind of assistance I can provide but I will attempt.”

“First of all, do you remember anything?”

“I remember I was on the deck of the ship and…I don't quite recall.”

“Did you maybe hear anything? High heels perhaps?

“High heels? I remember there was a great snap. Since then I've been trapped in a nightmare. Is this helpful to you? Why would it be? Oh, wizards yes.”

“We’re trying to find out who did this to you.” Ivetta adds, “and why.”

“I assume it would be someone aboard the ship but Mr. Murdock told me that you are visitors, only just arrived.”

“But they are likely still on the ship as far as we know. Is that it? Is that all you remember?”

“I seem to have a recurring nightmare. Felt like it went on forever. I was in this dark corridor, you see. I could see moments of my past.” Ivetta’s blood runs cold. “No matter what I did I could not escape it. Terrible! Terrible!”

Ivetta pulls a paper from the captain’s desk and draws the symbol she saw on the doors in her nightmare, and asks him, “did you see this? Did you see a woman?”

His brow furrows as he looks at it. "I can't quite– it seems familiar but I can't put my finger on it. Is this the flag this trecery is flying under? This symbol?”

“We don’t know exactly what it is but I saw it when I was in a very similar place as you.”

“Did you see your family as well?”

“Among other things. I don’t know how long I was there but it was just as you described, dark.”

“While the corridor was displeasing, the time spent with my family was not.”

“Oh.”

“It was a dream, very disjointed.”

Tobias asks, “are you familiar with the Odyssey captain?”

“Of course.”

“I think perhaps you might have eaten the lotus, as it were.”

“I think I understand your meaning." He contemplates a moment before asking, "Is there anything more I can help you with?”

“Did you see the cloud before that snap?”

“I don't seem to remember it." He says, shaking his head. "Now, this was my ship once, but I do feel that I need to be careful with who is on board. If you find who did this to me and my chief officer we’d be greatly in your service. I charge you with doing so. Understand me?”

”We’re working on it.”

“Very good. Now, I’d like to make myself presentable. If you don’t mind, I'd ask for some privacy.”

"Of course, I’m– glad you’re alright.”

“If you happen to remember anything else, please, let us know.”

“Certainly.”

Castor insists, “Even if you think it might be menial. Don't hesitate. Don’t think anything is unimportant.”

The three traipse out. Murdock asks if they were able to find anything out.

“Not as much as we’d like but he’s alright. That’s the main thing.”

“Keep me informed.”

TBC

Episode Twenty-Nine: Lost in Sea