Opportunity

Traveller Con had just finished, and after watching, the last of the ships sailed out of view, no sign of the dragon turtle, yet, deciding to spend one more night on the island, as a sort of after part, just for the M9, deciding to use the day to tidy up the mess and the night to drink the rest of the wiles and ales left by other worshipers.

Fjord decided to sit next to Caduceus while he meditated to ask the wild mother if the dragon turtle had gotten lost, or at least in ways of finding them,  the warm wind surrounded him, granting him the peace that the turtle had lost trail of them,
the second question asking of travel back to Nicodranace was clear of it, the warm wind stayed, like a warm hug, yes. 
the third question, would Uk'utoa be bothering them this time, the wind...didn't grow cold, but in a way of uncertainty, he relaid this all to Fjord, who told everyone else.

Beau helped jester take down the streamers, Yasha took up the heavy lifting, the chairs and makeshift stake, brining them and smashing them into a pile of fuel for the bonfire they planned to make.

Caleb and Veth worked on sorting through the offering left behind for The Traveller, Veth often slipping a few in her bag.

As night fell, they all gather round, the rather impressive pile, of smashed up wood, as Caleb opened a hand casing create bonfire, and they watched as the flame, slowly encompassed the mass of timber.

Jester standing near Beau took her hand, Beau blushed, as memories of her getting wasted and confessing to Jester and her reaction to being pulling beau into a warm and passionate kiss after that is was a blur of giggling and dancing.

The rest all chuckled, and the night went on, rather peacefully, for traveller con, and for tonight, the forced themselves to forget or the troubles they had ahead,  Essek, The Assembly, the possible collapse of the peace treaty, and being seen as traitors on either side, for now, that was tomorrows problem.

The morning was warm, though whether that was the sun, or them nestled together in the dome, it was hard to tell.

They all rose, collected their things, making a few trips with the offerings to get them all on the ship, as they couldn't just leave them all here, only leaving the pile that was agreed upon with the village, then they were off, setting sail, and with nothing else to do but plan and discuss a few issues that had been on everyone's mind.

As they all stood on deck, it as Beau who was the first to break the silence
"We haven't heard from Essek in a while," she said in a dubious tone "Jester have you tried messaging him?"
"Oh well, no, not really, he said he was going to be busy ya know," Jester said trying to find an excuse other than she was just too nervous "and then I needed to plan and set up Traveller Con and look after the guests"

"I am sure" Caleb stated "He is fine, and if we just send him a message he will tell us so", "If, he isn't lying" Beau added
There was a tense silence for a few minutes as Fjord gave Beau a starn look and mouths 'be more sensitive'
"Look" she stared again, un-crossing her arms to let her guard drop, "we know you care about him, I know why you want him to be redeemable, I'm sorry for being a bit of an ass, but.. you do know I care, I just...dont want to  loose any of you"

Calebs eyes softened "Ja Ja, I know, I don't wish to lose any of you either, but I can see in his heart he is not a bad guy, he is not like the Assembly, he is not like Trent, there is hope for him"

The tension lifted slightly, another pause, but before anyone could interrupt a familiar teleportation noise could be heard, as they all turned to see Essek, stumble onto their boat.
Essek, who previously, even when getting comfortable with the M9, always kept up a refined  appearance, now looked.. well a mess, his once perfectly quaft hair was a mess, his usual calm demeanour now replaced with panic and fear and he had fallen on their ship, no cloak, no mantle, just the simple Xhorhasian clothing he wore underneath, no-one knowing what to say, and all Essek could stutter out was "I'm sorry"

"I'm so sorry, I-i didn't know where to go, she, the Queen found out, and in a panic, I just arrived here, I'm so sorry I just don't-" Essek began to stutter 
"Essek" Caleb rushed towards him, kneeling to place a hand on his shoulders to calm him "It's ok, we'll figure this out uh"

They both looked back to the M9, noticing some of the suspicious looks "Right?" Caleb asked

Veth stepped forward "Don't you think this is a little much? He's been found out, if we protect him, we won't have anywhere to go, the Dynasty will be after us, and of the Queen either break off the treaty or tells the King, The Empire as well"

"We can't just abandon him Veth" Caleb snapped "There's a way to fix this If we- we just need time to think of a plan"

"The plan is He takes the punishment for what he did, He has hurt so many people, MY people, of it, want for him, My husband and child would never have been in danger from that assemblywoman, my husband would never have been taken and tortured" Veth roared, getting angrier

"ENOUGH" Beau shouted "Either way we cant argue here, Caleb, start a circle to Yussas, his tower is protected, and he owes us for helping him out, once there, we can SAFELY and calmly discuss out issues and come to an agreement"

Caleb said nothing more, leaving  Esseks side, pulling out some chalk and started the circle, Beau watched on as Caduceuse nudged Veth aside, and with a hand, on her shoulder, they talked for a while, Fjord had offered him a strained but sympathetic smile, as he went to go told to a tortle

Essek could only watch in disbelief, he was doing this, if it was for him, Veth and Caleb,  who were once so close, wouldn't be standing apart after an argument, Jester who had mumbled something about a message had popped downstairs,  and Beau shortly followed,  neither of them returned till the circle was ready, Yasha stood a bit aways from Essek, close enough to react if he tried anything.

For 10 minus, Essek just sat there, wondering if it was best he just leaves, ears twitching for any sound of danger that followed him, but none came, eventually, the stillness was interrupted by Caleb "Right, last mark, let's go" and as he finished he waited for everyone to walk in, including Essek, before stepping in himself.

They all arrived in the familiar chamber, Essek slowly edged his way to stand awkwardly a few feet from the group as they just seemed to wait for a while, shortly the patter of feet could be heard, and a door opened, revealing the Goblin Wensforth "Ah, I uh, told Masted Yussa about your visit, if you'll just wait in the common area he'll be down to... discuss matters"

Essek tensed,  not knowing who this 'Yussa' was, but he didn't have many options left, and of this would help his opportunity to keep close to the M9, well he'd take it.

Essek began to float, before tripping into a walk, with the M9, as he followed them down the stairs into a room, Caleb kept next to him, his eyes stared straight ahead, Essek wanted nothing more than to reach out, but now wasn't the right time, maybe it never would be.

As they all gathered in a small waiting room chamber, Essek took a seat on the couch, Caleb sat at the opposite end, Beau propped herself against one of the windows holding Jester's hand as she stood next to her. Fjord and Caduceuse stood behind the couch, while Veth sat on the couch opposite, Yasha admired some of the potted flowers, still, keeping an eye on him though.

No-one said anything, and it seemed like the silence would go on forever if it weren't for the soft footsteps descending the nearby stairwell, as a short light brown-skinned elven man appeared, led by the goblin, who gave a quick and sharp look to Essek, before a more welcoming one around the M9
"I see you made it here safely"  He greeted  "I'm glad, as you know you don't need to worry about being watched or tracked here, so please take your time to plan, and ensure your safety if you wish I have a more private room prepared for you to talk, and Wensforth and Willy are clearing out a few rooms for guest chambers if you need to spend a night or two"

"Thank you Yussa" Fjord replied, "I think we will take up your offer that room, Uh Essek, could you, wait down here a minute, I believe there are a few things we want to talk about as a group"
Essek could only give a meek nod, he wanted to be there, he was already having a hard time to retain some of his composure, but he had no platform to argue

Everyone followed the goblin to the room, while Yussa, much to Esseks dismay remained, Essek couldn't bring himself to look directly at the elven man, but he could see his fine gold robes form his profitable reflecting off the sunlight, but he could feel his intense stare, watching him, studying him, it felt like a window was being burned through to his soul.

Only when he left, did Essek allow his appearance to falter, as he sunk his head into his hands, he waited, listening for any sign of the 9's return, he could hear above him, voices murmuring, at some point a few raised, before one broke into a slowly quieting weep, after that, it got fairly silent, and about 5 minutes passed before he heard a door opening,  a quiet conversation, and a stream of footfalls start down the stairs to him.

As the M9 descended the stairs, Essek remained sat where they had left him, seemingly had used the time to pull himself together a bit, his hair now more neatened and his cloak straightened.
He watched, trying but failing to his nerves, the M9 re-enter the room, he could see the tension between Veth and Caleb was gone as Veth stood next to him, hand on his arm, he noticed the redness and puffiness to their eyes, but they seemed happier? or at least more content with the dilemma.

They all took a seat on the two couches, Caleb sat next to Essek, and Veth next to him, Beau look at the option to stand behind the couch between Caleb and Essek, but when Jester patted the cushion next to her she couldn't resist, Fjord sat on the end next to Beau and Caduceuse sat on the floor and Yasha now took to the window.

There was still tension, but less, that didn't mean Essek didn't feel like his heart was about to jump out of his throat as he anxiously waited for someone to say something before he felt a warm hand slide over his, and looked down to see it was Calebs, who spoke in a gentle but firm tone "We have decided we want to help you, Essek, no matter what, we are ready to stand by and defend you...though this does not mean, we have forgotten, nor forgiven what you did" 
Essek could feel himself shaking, unable to stop the tears  starting to weld in his eyes, he just looked down at the warm, callous hand that enveloped his "We're giving you a chance, to prove yourself redeemable, we're giving you a chance to do some good in this world if you will take it?"

Essek raised his free hand to his face covering his eyes " I don't deserve this, I don't deserve any of you, or the kindness you give me" he choked 

"Then do something about it"  Veth's voice ordered, causing Essek head to snap up in confusion, to this halfling, whom he had hurt so much, who pushed for him to be turned in
Beau continued "If you don't believe your worth of us, which you aren't" she added curly " Make yourself worthy, help us do good, help us help others"
"we're giving you chance, you said so yourself, that you're nothing but 'a selfish creature' then be selfish and take our offer" Veth finished

looking around now he saw the M9, even Yasha, Veth and Beau, give him a soft smile, Caleb squeezed his hand and with a soft chuckle he replied: "Then, if you will have me, I would graciously accept your offer, so what's the plan?"
...
Silence
...
"We did not get that far" Fjord admitted, Essek couldn't help but let out a chuckle, a break from all the pent-up tension "Sorry but that is, how you would put it ?'On Brand' ". That got a few chuckles, and the mood to grow more comfortable,
"Well," Veth sprang "I may be tooting our own horn a bit, but I'm pretty sure, this peace treaty would never have happened if it weren't for us, and if it's still going, then I'd dare say the Queen would owe us quite the favour?"
"Oh-oh, I could ask The Martinet how the peace talks been going?" Jester announced and before anyone could stop her
"Hello, Jester of the Might Nein here, Just wondering how peace stuff is going? is it going good? are things going well? How are you?"
they all waited as jester received the message with mixed emotion showing on her face
Jester cast sending one more "Oh ok, no yea we don't know anything about that, ANYWAYS, keep up the good work...doot doo doo doo doot"

"ok ok ok ok, SO, the king knows about Essek, BUT it seems the assembly wasn't found out? or that it's being covered over maybe I don't know, BUT, the good news is that the peace is still going on"

"Ok so our plan could work, we would just need to disguise Essek in the empire, No-erm Veth you've had practice with that so you could help him out, and in the morning Jester, you can message the Queen and see if we can get Essek out of fatal punishment" Fjord planned
"Well, maybe the Dusk captain would be better to send to? she seems to keep have more restraint and knows how to ease the Queen? Caleb suggested
Everyone seemed fairly satisfied with the plan, and no-one else really had a better one, the goblin, 

Wensforth came through with various plates of food, accompanied by Willy who helped carry them, Essek was intrigued by the mechanical helper, and though Caleb shared some information in him creating it, he didn't push for further details, still sensing the bridges he had to mend.
They were informed Yussa was busy in his study and wished not to be disturbed. The meal was pleasant and the food was like nothing Essek had tasted, but he couldn't help but miss the dinner he had with the M9 before he was exposed.

As it became later in the evening, Wensforth had appeared to show them to their rooms, there had been two rooms next to each other cleared out, but, although they knew they were safe in the tower, the chose to bunk up in one room Essek hovered in the corridor intending to use the other room and watched as Caleb went through his ritual of setting up an alarm, before casting his dome he turned to Essek "If you would like there's   room in the dome, it may be a little snug but you're more than welcome"

"Ah, that will be alright, I think it would be for the best if I took the other room for tonight, thank you, for everything really," Essek said with a heartfelt smile "Ja, Gudnacht, Hopefully all goes well tomorrow," Caleb said, offering what seemed like a sad smile in return, though it might have been in Esseks mind, as he retreated into the bedroom.

Essek lay in the bed, hours passed by, but he couldn't meditate let alone sleep, he knew whatever was mentioned upstairs got the rest of the M9 to give him a chance, and he wanted that chance, he wanted to still be their friends and to fix their relationship, he didn't want to lose any of them, especially Caleb, who had watched him with such piercing cold blue eyes, who had threatened him on the boat but had so quickly had been the first to offer him redemption, and that kiss...

But now, he had put them in so much danger, he didn't want to lose them, but he also didn't want to put them in unnecessary danger, he could just teleport away, hide away himself somewhere, or turn himself in and be done with it all, though started to creep in on the punishment he would face, humiliated in front of all of Rossana, failure and disgrace to his Den, though he did not care much for them, he had spent his whole life creating the elegant structure of 'The Shadowhand'.
He was sure the Queen was furious about him, she had seen he making decisions angry many-a-time, always making sure they were as painful as possible, he shuddered thinking what she had planned for him, his throat started to go dry and he sat up, trying to shake off the panic that was starting to creep in, hand shaking as he reached for the water left in the room, a knock at his door caused him to jump.

Essek cautiously opened the door, to find Yussa standing on the other side, his face was expressionless, "We need to talk" he growled under his breath before pushing himself in and shutting the door.

Essek had taken a few wary steps back, now having a closer look at Yussa, he was much the same height as Essek, his eyes were a stern and stunning golden colour, they seemed to pierce through Essek, through any illusion he might be able to present, he found himself absolutely terrified, and once again, breaking eye-contact and finding the floor "Listen to me, and listen to me very carefully drow" Yussa snarled closing the gap between them so they were toe to toe "As you have, I have come to appreciate having the m9 around, even if they don't visit as much, and I would hate for any unnecessary  harm to come to them, I don't mind them keeping you around"
The way he said that made Essek feel like some stray mutt they had picked up, he bit his tong from saying anything, 
"and though they haven't explained exactly what's going on, to have the entirety of the Dynasty and Empire after you, it mustn't have been good"
He leaned forward to whisper in the drows ear "if you betray them, then those two nations will be the least of your concern"

And with that, he was gone, leaving Essek, gasping for air, taking shaky breaths as the room seemed to close in, sinking down and pulling his knees to his chest, Yussa was not normal, and definitely not someone to mess with.

After a while, he managed to regain control of his breathing, haggard and defeated, he staggered to the door of the room next to his and softly rapped his hand against it, the tall furbolg, answered it, seemingly the only one who woke up, and let him inside, not pushing for an explanation, Essek walked in and settled himself in the cosy pile of the M9, noticing Beau and Jester swaddled in each other embrace, he somehow next to Caleb, the furbolg found his way back to his own space.
Essek let the warmth flow through him, as he gazed at the redhead sleeping in front of him, allowing the sense of safety to pull him into sleep.