None of those of gross import in our tale came from Redrumegan A, however, so explaining such would be quite a waste of breath. Indeed, let us merely reitterate that making something be presentable is often half the battle in a competetive atmosphere...
"... And the Kin Seal makes fourteen," Sandry remarks, writing down the location of the final seal on a slip of parchment. "We've done it. When did you say the Majestic would be repaired?"
Indyana looks up from where she is attempting to organize her desk. She smiles. "You don't need your ship to find the Kailan; he resides through a portal on the Refuge. If you wish, you can wait for a few days until the other competitors are finished and the three Bishen Dragons on the Refuge will open the gateway to the lair of the Kailan."
"That would be splendid!" Tren exclaims. "It will give us time to rest up and the like!"
"There's a few guest cabins out back if you don't want to stay on your ship while it is being repaired," Indyana states.
"That's okay," Sandry replies. "We should probably stay onboard there anyways. It's less of a hassle for you, and it'll probably be more comfortable for all of us. We did, after all, grow up entirely around the water." She smiles and nods her thanks to the caretaker of the Refuge. She folds up the list of locations for the Seals and gathers her companions. Momentarilly, they step through the portal to the Obsidian Sea.
*Good to see you again!* calls a familiar voice once the three are through the portal.
"Richard! How are you?" responds Tren, quickening his pace to meet the dragon. He is unsure whether to call him is friend, and settles on considering him a very good acquaintance. Perhaps someday he would find a dragon with which to bond.
*What brings you back here? Did you miss a Seal?*
"Nay. We're returning to our ship to rest until the hunt is officially over."
*Good strategy! I do say, good strategy indeed!*
Tren blushes, grinning. "We shall talk later, Richard," he manages before stepping into the rowboat behind his two Weldoxian companions. "We shall be here for a few days after all."
Clar, Tren, and Sandry each take up two oars. They set about rowing the boat to the ship and scuttling up the rope ladder. Once onboard, Clar begins to oversee the construction of the main mast almost immediately. It seems fairly well underway. Sandry sets about mapping out the known portions of the Refuge, using the sextant during the nights to note how far they are from any known mainland. Tren plays his flute for all, enjoying everything about the few days of rest.
"Today, Indyana?" Sandry asks, impatience seeping into her voice. She had asked daily about when the Kailan's quest would finish ever since the elder woman told her and her companions to take a few days of rest.
Indyana smiles. "Yes. Today, Sandrylene. Gather your friends; the dragons won't wait long."
Sandry grins, nods her thanks, and sets back towards the Sea and the natural harbor in which the Majestic is moored. As she continues towards the ship, she begins to hum a tune that seems alien and comfortingly familiar at the same time. She can not help herself at all and promptly forgets that she is doing such. She reaches the edge of the cavern's shore.
"Clar! Tren!" she calls. "Gather the list! The judging begins today!" She grins, waving to them.
Tren's flute skips a note as he catches the news. He sets down his instrument and taps Clar on the shoulder. "Did you hear?" he inquires, excitement shining through his callous words.
Clar nods. "Let's go. The mast has been finished for some time now." He smiles, looking at the wonderful handiwork of the inhabitants of the Refuge. He would have to thank them soon. He hopes they would stop back into the cabin before they left.
"Let's go. We don't want to be late!" Sandry grins as the pair row ashore on the boat.
"We'll be back to say farewell, Richard," Tren states.
*Good luck, Friend,* Richard replies.
Tren blushes, uncertain of how to take such a welcome answer. He shrugs and gives Richard a hug of gratitude, the former's eyes becoming rather misty in the process.
"We shall be off, I suppose. To the cabin!" sighs Sandry as she steps through the portal once more.
The cabin is rapidly crowding with others who have taken part in the Quest. Clar separates from Sandry and Tren to find Indyana. A few minutes later, he returns to his companions looking far less worried. He tells them that she accepted his thanks readilly.
"Wonderous. I wonder who will win this hunt," Sandry states. After all, there were bound to be others with far more enthralling and captivating stories than their own. She spends a few idle minutes chatting with a person next to her about their adventures. Soon, Indyana appears before the crowd on a stoop and calls for silence.
"As you know, today is the final day of the Kailan's Quest for the Fourteen Bishen Seals. The winner of this quest will receive an egg of great import. This egg is either one of a unique color (commonly called a mutant) or of multiple elements (called a hybrid). The Kailan will judge each of your stories individually, testing your attributes. Indeed, this is a great event in the workings of this Refuge. Good luck to you all. Outside is the portal to the lair of the Kailan. Once again, good luck." She smiles and steps down from the stoop and disappears to the back of the room. It is back to her duties as caretaker.
Sandry, Clar, and Tren are the last to leave the cabin. They thank Indyana for her hospitality and leave promptly thereafter. Soon, they step through the portal to the Kailan's lair and find themselves among the others once again.
Soon enough, the Kailan flies out of his cavernous home. He is an old arboreal dragon. His once red hide has faded into a deep mahogany color with years of wind and sun. His wings show proud battle scars from his years of leading his clan. He sails slowly and gracefully over to a tall rock outside the cave and perches there, looking carefully at the young adventurers before him. Raising his head, he begins speaking.
*Will each of your parties please nominate a leader and send him forwards. Each leader please line up promptly. Today is a great day indeed, and there is much to do. We can not waste much time dawdling.* He glances about watching his orders be carried out with relatively few discrepancies.
"Sandry! Go!" hisses Clar.
"What? Me?" she replies in a whisper.
"Yes, m'lady," Tren interjects. "Your courage and strength of will got us into this, now you are to be rewarded... hopefully." He flashes a grin and steers Sandry into the line.
"But! I'm not a leader! I never have been! We're a team! We work together! We have no leader! We-"
"Hush, lady. Be calm and still as water and your courage as powerful as the tsunami and all shall work out well." He nods, smiling sincerely, and kisses Sandry gently on the cheek. Clar kisses her on the other cheek.
"We have faith in you and would follow you to the ends of the worlds," Clar adds, his voice also low. "Good luck, Sandrylene." He shakes his head slowly, forcing himself not to cry, and steps back with the other onlookers.
All await the Kailan's decree...
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