Dragonstone 58

**Chapter 58**

Next morning, Delon is singing on the balcony while Ferai sleeps, Arin and Egil are smug, and Burel and Samurai Chick spar in the courtyard. We're reminded that all the Fantasy Ay-rabs find the idea of a woman warrior to be *kuh-ray-zee!,* but Samurai Chick is too formidable for anyone to object.

We cut to later in the day as Our Heroes are visiting the scholar who sent them to the Maze, and who proves to be a friend of Burel's. Introductions are made all around, and we learn that the scholar's name is Ustaz. Burel introduces Samurai Chick as his *"kalb w nafs,"* which he says means *"heart and soul."*

Next, we jump back to . . . somewhere . . . as Our Heroes pore over the maps. Good old Ustaz has translated "Yilan Koy" to mean "Serpent Cove," a Kistanian phrase, and Alos quickly locates it on the map. He says he's been there before, and that there's a town there and it's a dangerous place; he swore he'd never go back. It's implied that the locals tried to kill him because, having come in once, he knew how to find the place. He declares that *"there are no more dangerous shoals lying in any of the waters throughout the whole wide world."* Arin suggests that this proves Alos is the One-Eye in Dark Water . . . which should also prove that Egil isn't, but that's never mentioned. I assume they're still hauling around the rotten ogre eyeball.

The others *"reasoned with Alos for the rest of the day,"* but he refuses to change his mind. I guess this leaves them no choice but to once again drug and kidnap him. We learn that Samurai Chick bought a sabre for Burel, and they spar some more. Samurai Chick, amazingly, is still *"yellow."* \~/ She's also being watched by some unhappy locals whose cloaks bear the sign of a clenched fist. Uh-oh! I sense hijinks!

Next morning, there's more saccharine romance and more sword practice, and more locals watching said sword practice with disapproval. I guess Samurai Chick's boob-tiger is on vacation or something. We cut to evening, with Egil and Arin finally giving up on persuading Alos. As he's explaining why they can't make anchor somewhere else and travel overland to the town, Ustaz appears. The Fists of Rakka, he says, are coming to arrest and execute Burel and Samurai Chick, a completely unforseeable and truly shocking development that no one could possibly have expected.

Samurai Chick is ready to fight, but Arin points out that they have literally nothing to gain and everything to lose, and suggests they just sail away instead. Egil asks Alos what he plans to do, and Ustaz *very conveniently* notes that *"The Fists will kill anyone left behind."* Alos accepts his fate with ill grace, quite rightfully blaming Samurai Chick

Our Heroes make their way to the *Brise* and slip away, so when the Fists come for them shortly thereafter they're long gone. The Fists wave their *"tulwars and scimitars"* around, cursing the *"blasphemers"* and the narrative calls them *"tyrannical followers of yet another intolerant one true way."*

Fantasy Ay-rabs are the worst, aren't they?

As Our Heroes sail away, Arin asks Alos where he wants to be let off. He reluctantly says they can wait until after escaping Kistan: he agrees to guide them to Serpent Cove and out again, but no further. Furthermore, he says he's not going to fight any mages, and if there's trouble, he's bailing at the first opportunity. Everyone is happy, and the chapter ends.

Drinks: 1

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