Book 2, Chapter 3, Verse 5 - Sea of Bones

With several days left on their journey across the arctic ocean, Mona & the Disaster Boys must find ways to occupy their time. What else can one do on a boat other than fish, pull rope and look at maps? I’m sure our three heroes can figure something out. What does Claudia have in mind and what’s the deal with all these crows? Find out on this theatrical new verse of Weal or Woe.

** SPOILER ALERT **

We rejoin Mona and the Disaster Boys back on board the Dragon's Breath, the trusty vessel of Capt. Johnathon Fogsmoore. They're sailing northwards across the frosty Northern Seas headed to Rash Qiyah. On board is also Claudius and Gulba and not on board but rather thrashing in the ocean nearby is Claudia who Sabux has found. That all happened because of the giant Tortle that was attacking. Here we go!

Sabux is flying to her rescue and grabs her out of the water. But never just simply (Nat 20), he's all long arms, snapped wrists, and fancy flying. When he lands he's got some shocked people to face, as they've just found out all about Sabux demon and magical nature and are pretty freaked out. Mona and the disaster boys have some explaining and convincing to do, to these people that see Magic as coming from the devil.

Stuck out in the ocean for another 6 days, they try to settle back into an awkward routine. Sabux is back fishing with Gulba and explaining where he came from and why he has demonic magic but isn't a demon. Any chat about the Deep Ones gets interrupted by a bite on the line. Claudius is back chatting with Mona about religion and his daughter as they haul chain, trimming sails and shipping hard. Anisette is back up the crows nest keeping an eye out again, looking for ships and dangers and staying on course. He sees a crow approaching and then circling the ship high above, which seems odd. He questioningly says "Maveth?" but only gets the response of now there being two crows. He yells down about them being on course, and asks if crows are normal out here. Johnathon is surprised to hear that.

Sabux has pulled in a juicy rainbow salmon and Gulba is looking particularly fine with his baby oil chest preventing scurvy, while Mona dreams of a salt lick with all that foam on his chest. He isn't chatting with Sabux but is working politely side by side. Claudia is back out, a little sheepish, quietly working. Meanwhile, the crows following the ship have grown in number above the crows nest, they're up to 10 now.

The crew decide to cast augury, to cast if it's a good idea to use his cocaine right now. The crows are up to a couple of hundred now, it's a black cloud following right above. Terrifying. It's not magical though, but now they're blocking out the sky. Everyone has stopped to stare and Sabux gets Gulba to take people downstairs.

Mona finally casts Augury to ask if the crows are here to help us. she hears WEAL right as the crows descend on the ship, beating their wings against everything, the caws filling all noise around, suffocating them until all goes silent suddenly. They find themselves still on the deck of the ship but sitting in a sea of bones with a rowboat rowing towards them. Johnathon is pretty freaked and Ani tries to help (NAT 1) but ends up with them both crying. Sabux slaps him in the face and intimitates him into getting his crap together (34 math is lame, haha).

Mona greets the creepy skeletal robed figure says nothing, but indicates that they should come with them. Mona climbs down a rope like a normal human who isn't a human, Sabux free falls down and Ani jumps down doing a flip. Coz they all have to be different of course. Haha. Sabux gets a leechy headache which dyes his hair white and red, his skin changes to a black charcoal colour. Ani drinks... water. 10 mins later we land on a green small island and off in the distance there's a hill with an archway made of bones on top. Ani recognises this from Tiffany chats. They walk towards the hill chatting about what this could be or mean. A pale figure comes through the archway, with long black hair and ruby red lips, wearing green robes and carrying a massive 6ft two handed sword by her hip which is dripping black ichor. She addresses Sabux "This is a different method of communication." she sasses Mona about her grovelling at Lystra's feet. She asks them what they're doing right now and why and says they should probably find Sabux kid because she imagines Chaveth is probably searching for it pretty hard. Sabux is pretty surprised by that statement.

She tells them that Chaveth is a dick and she's a bitch and she doesn't know where his baby is. When Ani asks about what's going on and why they can't get in touch right now, she says this is costing her much and she wanted to just touch base. Confirms that Chaveth is getting stronger due to growing belief, and Ani asks about the map circled Rash Qiyah, why devils and demons together, if she knows anything about the Dawnwalkers. She isn't telling them anything (JULZ: and I would have 100% insight checked her No to knowing about Dawnwalkers, Ani. Reckon she's hiding a lot.) James questions if Maveth is older that Mona. Mona asks where else they should be if not Rash Qiyah. She confirms that there is a source of ancient power there and finding Sabux baby is important, they've seen that in the weave. Chaveth has aligned with Pedar and Maveth is badass. She tells them they need to get to Ember Barrow in Astom Ya'ar. She flashes red and has time for another couple of questions before she leaves and drives them back to a prophecy they've heard before "There is discord at the heart of order" the high enlightened and the emperor aren't getting along. Mona "We're praying for you, to you!" which made me laugh so hard.

As she steps through the gate again, everything flickers and they find themselves back on the ship. There's no crows but plenty of feathers. Mona and Ani collect them for crafts. They're having fish stew for dinner (with tarragon) but it's quiet. Johnathon tries to break the silence and Mona goes to tell them but Ani shuts it down. After Johnathon says "What happens at sea, stays at sea." Mona replies with "Do you wanna have an orgy or..." (JULZ: can someone please cut that so I can have that as my new text tone. hahahahahaha. I died. I had to pause for like 5 mins) Sabux is feeling some things, mostly guilty and heads off, after Mona gives him a Lystra medallion for Bodel and the baby and Ani supports him. Sabi sits down and begins a trance to cast read omens. He calls a dark shadowy creature in front of him, and asks "Is Bodel near this town that we're going to." and the creature replies in a whisper in his mind "To the North you go on seas of ice, to settlement of cats and not mice, you seek a child that is not born, continue your way and be no longer shorn." He then asks "Why is Chaveth seeking the baby." and gets no response. then "Are there allies within the The Copper Tavern?" and the reply is "Yes." Then "What is the key to finding the ancient powerful tool?" And the voice whispers again "Find the ones who have been penned, amongst them you will find a friend, this friend knows much but is not kind, careful with their fragile mind. Yet have they seen that which soars, though many-a many-a since the fires roar." The ash peels off Sabux as the last answer comes through, his hair returns to vibrant purple and his skin returns to olive tan.

Ani can't concentrate on his reading (JULZ: Nice music here James - good pick) and finds Mona to talk about various Demons and whether they can be ready for what's about to happen. Frustrated he takes off. Johnathon and Mona talk about what they are, what fate is and whether their fate is set already. Mona is a little worried about going undetected looking the way she does and they discuss how she could change her appearance a bit. Johnathon has this cute moment when he brushes the hair away from Mona's ears. (JULZ: KISS KISS KISS - damn it.) The night passes uneventfully.

The next morning Mona goes to talk to Claudia about her time with a theatre troop, as Ani works with Claudius instead as Sabux is back on fishing. Mona is pretty good at talking to people "How long have you been doing ship stuff?" (JULZ: Laura you're adorable). and ends up volunteering to put on a play with Claudia the theatre kid in order to learn more about disguise and costuming. They have to do the maps first though and after a tasty candy Hero Point they get it done. Gulba and Sabux chat about Siprionous and it being a 'nice' place. We find out it was Gulba who knocked last night and they talk about doing the tattoo now seeing as the fish aren't biting at this speed. Sabi wants to have a heart with Sal inside it on the inside of his arm. Gulba is totally tapping Sabux right now (JULZ: Delicious) and then they hang out playing cards. I wish they played Grabarse, for sure.

Mona drops the information on them all that they're doing a play, called "Two Moons Kiss". Claudia and Mona are forcing it, Ani volunteers to do the music and we find out about semi-famous Lenny F who plays at the Jewelbox. Claudia hands out scripts to everyone as they get their parts assigned. There's some luck checks as people cross fingers about what they want. Mona said she wanted a small part but gets a big one. Anisette wants a small part but gets a big one. Sabux wants a small part and gets it. Then they spin the bottle to get the remaining big part between Johnathon, Gulba, Claudia and Claudius. They get Claudius as the other big part and he tells Mona to get ready to pucker up.