by Idran1701 » Sat May 24, 2008 6:55 am
With all preparations ready, everyone loads up onto the ship. Preparations of the crew take a bit longer, though rushed along by Selene, and within the hour, the vessel departs Kohlingen, sailing off away from the shore. The crew is quite disciplined, working like a well-oiled machine as the ship presses on. Time passes slowly, with Idran spending most of his time in his cabin to his great reluctance (though he does sneak a trip up on deck whenever possible). Annie spends her time similarly, as does the girl in the box the others soon learn to be his daughter, Erin. Selene, on the other hand, stays active, helping out the crew wherever she can; she seems almost tireless in her various jobs around deck.
Two days of travel pass, before in the distance, a speck can be seen on the horizon, dead in their path. It grows as the ship sails forward, and before long, they can make out details; some sort of facility standing in the middle of the ocean. Eventually, motion can be seen. Structures on its surface. A small port nearest to them, with warehouses along its sides. The construction is recognizably Doman, and almost all of the figures standing watch are dressed in the familiar uniforms of the guard. A Doman outpost in the middle of nowhere, literally, and one of which out of those present, only perhaps Spob might have suspected - even those among them in the guard themselves had never heard of such a place. However, by far drawing the majority of attention is the portal. Standing 50 feet across, looking largely normal but for the occasional pulse of what appears to be lightning across its disc, it stands silently swirling just on the far side of the structure that surrounds it entirely.
Making port, the group soon disembarks, as do a few of the crew. They don't have long to relax on solid land, though, before guards approach. Questioning the travelers, they check each for identification, letting them pass ahead once satisfied they are who they claim. And so the party heads down the path, accosted twice more at additional security checkpoints for identity confirmation along the road. Though Idran's obviously looking increasingly in pain as they draw ever closer to the passageway to Krynus, he waves it off, continually claiming to be fine. Perhaps a bit more harshly than normal, but he looks to be steeling himself against the feelings to the best of his ability.
Finally, they reach the edge of the portal. Under the watchful eye of Doma's finest, they pass through along a well-kept pathway leading straight up to its surface. And following the brief moment of disorientation that follows any portal transit...
...they find themselves in...a bustling room, with stations watching suspiciously at the new arrivals. Construction like little most have seen. Walls not of stone or wood, but something resembling plaster. Floors made of what appears to be artificial cobblestone - white and black squares of shiny material, scattered arbitrarily. And beyond the watchful men and women in unfamiliar uniforms - more than likely guards as well, they can assume - a pair of doors made of glass, beyond which opens a vast courtyard, roofed despite its size. Despite their odd accoutrements, the Gaerans can recognize storefronts, taverns, and restaurants when they see them, though the food's nothing they'd be familiar with in Doma, nor are the wares. Flashing images of some sort shine from the rooms, their details not recognizable at these distances. And at the far end, another pair of glass doors, through which can just barely be spotted waves - obviously the portal on this end opens on an ocean as well.
They can't take in the sights for long, though, before a gasp from behind them draws their attention. Doubled over, with Annie clinging to him and staring fearfully, Idran winces, fumbling at his belt. Pulling a vial from his pouch, he drinks it down with her help...the pain looks to leave his face slightly, enough for him to stand if nothing else. Pale, he gives a very unsteady, obviously forced smile to the others. "Well...not the...the best of greetings to Krynus I can give you, I...suppose." With a slight wheeze, he heads to a nearby seat - its frame is actually metal, not wood...and what kind of fabric is that on the cushion? - relaxing as best he can as he sits. "It's...it's all right...give me a moment, I'll be okay."