Rum finally manages to shake off the haze that he has been suffering from, and steers Porkins towards the luck dragons, becoming visible as he does so.

"That was Lord Vader. Jek and Greko apparently killed him once, so I expect that is where the hatred comes from", he replies as he inspects the luck dragons with excitement and a little awe.

He addresses them in draconic, saying, "Noble Dragons, I am honoured to be in your presence. Blessing of the Great Dragon to you all. What brings you here?".

There was one thing blatantly obvious as the party emerged through the hole and into Hyboria's night skies again; they are over the ocean, and there is no land in sight.  This becomes immediately problematic for the resident Centaur who only has approximately fifty five minutes of flight left as they circle the roaring maelstrom below.   

For Rum (or anyone who knows Draconic can understand from evesdropping):  

Rum ponders a moment before asking, “Where is the other band? And why are Gandalf and Atreyu worried? Have our missions changed?”.

He speaks this time in common so the others can understand, although if the luck dragons don’t understand he will translate.

Looking down at the maelstrom, he has to admit it was probably a good thing the luck dragons turned up and helped them leave Subternia, but it didn’t alter the fact that they had not completed their mission.

Turning to the other Remnants, he tries to put a positive spin on things, “Well fellow Remnants, our mission may not have gone as planned, but at least we confirmed Vader is still a threat, took the blast bellows from his army and got out alive”.

”And we have a new ally”, he adds looking at Violet.

Perception: 20+11=31 (looking at the maelstrom and for land close by)

Greko still a little mad about being “rescued” “Vader has Greko’s staff….Next time Vader won’t get away” He grumbles to himself. After eavesdropping on the luck dragons Greko chimes in “Two groups left? Seems like the Dawn Guard finally wiped themselves out with their tomfoolery! Can’t say it’s a shame to have lost the worst group of hero’s any history book or annal of history has heard of….So fly back to base and get the next mission hmm?”

Lady Kaede is a picture of calm determination, still pondering how she could have attacked Vader differently, perhaps turning the tide in a different direction than it ended up.  Not understanding a lick of draconic, she finally chimes in when Rum speaks in common..."But what of our centaur?  I see but no land in any direction to the horizons. Tell me, fellow dragons, which way is it to the closest land?  We musn't tarry too long."

"The other band?  Hold on, and I'll show you."  Kalos says with as much bluster as he can muster.  One of the other Luck Dragon's laugh.  "Flying back to base is not for me to decide.  I'll let you and yours figure that on your own.  Look!"  

Kalos doesn't even bother to answer Kaede's question about their lady Centaur.  

Their attention is directed toward tiny pinpricks of light in the distance.  A ship, sails unfurled, sails along, miles away from the maelstrom now, due north, its prow pointed northeast as it sails out into the Summer Sea below.  Atoh Khan shouts something, and one of the dragons laugh, and together they begin their undulating decent toward the surface of the ocean.  Down toward a large boat with a black sails and a red scorpion emblazoned on said sails.  

As the Luck Dragons (and their favorite Centaur) descend from the sky and begin finding somewhere to land on the deck, the band (or at least most of them) would recognize Thea and Malenia on the deck with some armored man that most of them wouldn't know.

There is much shouting from the deck crew as the dragons draw close, but Atoh Khan calls down to those below that they were friendly, and on business from Atreyu himself, by the authority of the Childlike Empress.  For what that was worth.  

A series of ballistas mounted on the deck slowly lowered as the deck crew marveled at the three Luck Dragons that came to curl up in various spots on the deck, some with tails hanging over, one curled all the way up like a serpent.  

Stasolya follows the luck dragons, flapping her big feathered wings as the sea breeze yanks back on her braided mane and tail. As they spiral downwards towards the ship, the centaur grips her bagpipes under her arms and begins to play... heralding their arrival with a victorious battle march. When she recognizes Malenia and Thea standing there, Stasolya is nearly delighted enough to stop playing, but she keeps up the tune until her hooves hit the deck running, the big feathered wings flaring out to brake her landing. She finishes the tune with a flourish, and with a big beaming smile, her magical horseshoes carrying her far too quickly towards her friends.

"Malenia! Thea!" she shouts, and, without bothering to first let Jek and Violet get off of her back, she gallops up to Malenia and embraces her warmly, and then gives Thea the same treatment! "I'm so glad to see you both alive and well," she whispers. "How has your quest fared?"

Rum sees easily spots the pinpricks of light in the distance, and directs Porkins to follow the luck dragons on their descent to what turns out to be a very familiar ship.

"It seems we have come almost full circle in this quest, Friend Greko", he calls out across the distance. "I wonder how the good Captain Seawulf is".

"If you would rather not join us on deck, noble Porkins, you should go hunt for food or whatever is your wish. Do not stray too far though, for I would keep you by my side for the quests to come, if you are willing?", he says to Porkins in Celestial.

As Porkins flies above the Scorpion, Rum jumps from his back, ethereal draconic wings sprouting from his own back to slow his descent as he aims for the helm in the hope that is where Alwyn Seawulf would be.

"Greetings, Captain Seawulf", he calls as he touches down.

Greko looks around at the ship seemingly familiar to him. He can't quite put his tail on it but as Rum speaks.... "Ah indeed! Our first voyage.....how that voyage changed the lives of us. I wonder who among the original group is left...."Greko looks down saddened by the loss of Young Ro, so full of promise, consumed by that box....Lelith consumed with proving herself fell to the darkness, brainwiashed by the evil lord himself only to be aided by Greko, and our little friend who left, overcome by the grief and destruction of the world....The metal man who briefly aided us....Sad to think of them all Rum, I hope you have forgiven me, I am glad to be back with you." 

     "How exactly did the AURYN crumble?" Judal is asking, shocked.  He felt as if he didn't truly understand just what the AURYN was but...  He assumed it was stronger than some saltwater or sea air.  Seemingly as he asks the question, though, there is a distraction... High up in the air.  

     "Oh great... Dragons!" he calls out as he draws his Serpent's Fang longsword.  He is not on guard for long before it comes to light that they are friendly and bear even friendlier (well, that may be the wrong word) riders.  It seems at least the rest of The Answer knew most of them.  Judal himself had only ever shortly known one of them.

     Judal stands a bit apart, watching and assessing and trying to absorb just what is going on.  So much has happened so quickly.  Seems the last peace there was to be had was when? Back at the Malenia's home?  But even there the cave...  Judal shivered a bit but did not think on it overly.  There seemed to be new allies and perhaps a new mission.  Always something new...  something growing...  Ah well, as long as one breathes one has a chance.  

"I couldnt say Judal, All I know is-" She is cut short, The Jedi being a very observant individual is among the first to notice what she assumed was an advancing threat. The mechanism within her prosthetic vaulting both of her weapons into her awaiting hands, yet before she had the chance to ignite the blades of light. Her glistening green eyes settle on a very familiar individual. The dull thunk of metal on wood thudded into the air as she dropped her weapons and moved to meet the embrace of Stasoyla. With the raw emotion she had been feeling only moments before, paired with this unexpected but more than welcome reunion. The Stoic Jedi began to openly weep. 

"Stasoyla!" Calling out her friends name, Someone who had said Goodbye, Someone she never thought she would see again. Breaking off from the embrace to allow the reunion between Thea and Stasoyla to happen. Taking this moment to conceal her weapons once more in their housing before drinking in the sight that had come with the Centaur, stowing away those fresh emotions to appear as normal in front of these faces. 

"S-stasoyla, I am more than relieved to see you and know you are safe." Her gaze moves from the Luck Dragons to the faces, Granted at least one of the faces were familiar to her. Yet they were still strangers. "W-what is happening? How did you find us?" 

"Im Afraid our quest has.....not been without difficulty. Princess Zelda is safe, as you can see for yourself. King's landing is lost, over run by the enemy. Their numbers are far too great to even consider victory an option. In fact we had just retreated to the ocean and were about to discuss our next move when you.....dropped in. Additionally.....Lelith and Riarr are.....gone."

Greko overhearing the Jedi steps forward "Hello there. I am Greko former Auryn holder of the Twilight Embers....You say Lelith is gone....what do you mean by this? What has happened to her?" Greko expresses with a look of concern on his face wondering if she fell beholden to the enemy again.....

     "They just kind of disappeared.  Poof!" Judal answered.  "But former Auryn holder?  Did yours crumble too?"

Greko nods "They disappeared? What was happening during that moment? As for the Auryn yes, in a manner of speaking yes but only because Greko the Green used it for his friends to escape while he was stabbed to death and cut in two. In front of you stands Greko the White. This Greko is Greko the Green's rebirth if you will. Alas, now Greko the White goes as he please helping those that need it. Although our mission was not completely successful, Greko does have the forge" He pulls out a tiny no longer burning hot forge from his pocket "I am unsure what it is needed for but my friends task was to find it and take it from the stormtroopers and so I have done that"

Balthor swoops down and lands on the prow of the ship, and a very regal looking samurai lord dismounts the beast.  She whispers a little word of thanks to the beast before scratching it behind its jaw, much to the delight of the beast.

It was at that moment she overhead Stasolya and Thea catching up and mentioning Kings Landing.  In a commanding sounding voice, reminiscent of royalty, but starting to crack from nervousness, the samurai calls out "Wait....did you just say that Kings Landing is lost?!  IMPOSSIBLE.  I am Lady Kaede Ashikaga, daughter of Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshiaki, 15th shōgun and ruler of Kings Landing.  My father and his fellow samurai are more than capable of taking on any foreign invader.  Surely you must be mistaken and heard fallacious news meant to deceive?!"

As Lady Kaede stands there, her silken robes are mostly torn asunder, her hair is unkept, and she's bleeding profusely from all over her body.  Multiple lightsaber burn marks are evident all over, and few remnants of melted armor appear to be clinging to her robes.  But she doesn't seem to notice this at all, as she's more distracted by this sudden (obviously...hopefully...false...?) news.

As discussions behind him get heated, Rum turns away from the helm to view the rest of the deck, really taking notice of the passengers for the first time and not just just looking for the captain to ensure they are friendly and welcome.

He recognises the members of Andromeda's Answer and notices how they, just like the Ardent Remnants, are fewer in number than when they left Skyloft. Stasolya had been one of them at that time, although she had obviously parted ways since then to be reunited now. As he sees the centaur jovially hugging her former comrades, his eyes flick to Greko and he wished their reunion had been simpler.

And Greko's reaction to news of Lelith and Lady Kaede's predictable reaction to news of King's Landing standing in counterpoint to the reunion.

"Well met, Andromeda's Answer. It seems there is much to be said between these two bands, and we need to acknowledge as well the news we have just been given that the Dawn Guard are missing from this realm", he says after jumping down to join the conversation.

"I think it best we convene a council in private, if the Captain agrees and assuming there is such a place?", he adds, looking about at all the sailors, and back to once more try and pick out Captain Seawulf.

Turning to Princess Zelda, he bows his head and places his fist over his heart in a sign of respect.

     "So you were green but now you are white?" Judal asks of Greko.  "Are you sure it's the death thing and not just a matter of aging?  Getting over some wounds seems a minor reason to take on a whole new mantle..."

     "As for them disappearing, we had just gotten to the ship.  We had held the line against the raiders of King's Landing to allow those fleeing to board and as the ships departed we made our exit as well.  It was once we did that there was a flash of purple haze and when it faded they were just gone.  That was but moments ago..."

     Judal pauses in his explanation as Lady Kaede shouts from above demanding answers.  He understands her grief but he has little good explanation.  "We were not there for the falling, just the aftermath.  There were mechanical monstrosities... And zombies...  And the gods alone know what else.  You may find more information questioning those who fled to these ships for safety than us for all those who were not one or the other aforementioned were escaping when we arrived.  I am sorry..."

     "Some privacy may be nice but perhaps a bit hard to find on a ship full of refugees but it is worth a try.  But as for the Answer, it seems that is no more.  With the crumbling of the Auryn Malenia has decreed The Answer is no more but we were interrupted before she could expound on what's next..."

"Lelith and Riarr chose to cover our retreat, Vanishing in some sort of arcane spell, No doubt a trick of Riarr's..." Malenia's solemn expression turns to worry for her fellow Eladrin, Two individuals who had shown her just what she had missed out on while still thinking of Lelith's promise to bring her to the Domain of the Summer Eladrin. Looking more than a little uneasy at Lady Kaede's desperate search for answers. She didnt have time to answer before Judal stepped up to explain the situation, All the while Her Emerald eyes kepy flashing towards Stasoyla. As surely the decision made by the Jedi to disband the Answer would not sit well with the centaur. 

But at that moment, she couldnt have guessed the Light of Andromeda's Answer would return only moments after the decision was made. "Aye Greko, I do remember you friend. Well met, It is good to see you again....under better circumstances." She speaks absently, Looking over the telltale signs of damage upon Lady Kaede. Recognizing the weapon that would leave such marks as the same she wields. In all her time she had only ever seen two other living individuals wield such a weapon, One she knew to be dead and the other....well he was appearently missing with the rest of the Dawnguard.

"What Judal says is the truth, We were not there for the fall only the aftermath. The city is overrun and lost to us....Im afraid I do not know the fate of your father....But might I ask....Who wounded you so gravely Lady Kaede?" Her curiosity getting the better of her in the middle of this tense reunion, gripping tight to the reins of the brilliant Kocra upon which the Princess Zelda still sat. 

"O-Of Course! You're right! We should take this to a more private area." Registering the curious gazes of the crew and the attention they were all receiving. "Is there a place where we can talk in private Captain?" Addressing the Captain directly, tugging the reins of Kazu to bring the large bird and the princess along with her. Not willing for even a moment to let the Young Royal out of her sight.

Stasolya smiles. "You bore the AURYN, Malenia, I trust your judgment in deciding to disband the Answer... things are moving quickly, and changing. It was a command from the lips of Princess Zelda that sent me away, and now brings me back again. A far greater Order than ourselves and our own knowledge brings us together once more. If the AURYNs have crumbled, then something new is beginning... or something is ending... but, together, we fight on, we carry the torch of Order into the darkness of Chaos. How glad I am to see you and the Princess and Thea safe. I am gladdened that Lelith and her companion stayed loyal to their charge of guarding her and covering your retreat. So much has happened..." The centaur looks back over her shoulder, at the distraught Lady Kaede, at Greko and Rum, at the smaller folk still sitting on her back between the magical feathered wings. "And there is yet so much still to do. Our journey together begins anew..."

Sadly, she looks back at Malenia. "In Subternia... we battled Lord Vader. Lady Kaede took the brunt of his attacks. The cavern collapsed and we were forced to flee. It was the luck dragons that rescued us."

Tears start to flow down Lady Kaede's face at mention of the disappearance of her father, the Shōgun, but her face and demeanor remain pallid and expressionless as ever.  With her posture remaining stern and upright, she merely spits out the name "Vader." in response to Malenia's question, not deeming him worthy of applying his 'lord' title, for no creature that evil is worthy of a royal epithet.

Suddenly realizing lots of prying eyes are ogling her in her unkempt and near naked state, Lady Kaede nods as the group discusses seeking some privacy. Not recognizing Princess Zelda, but recognizing nobility when she sees it, she bows a respectful bow towards the Princess and asks "Princess...might there be a place aboard this ship where I may find a lady-in-waiting to assist me with cleaning up and donning something ... more appropriate?"