[Paradise Island] Mahaia Village (Destroyed)

The seas were unnaturally calm outside of Mahaia Village when three figures decided to pop out of thin air into the water. One of these figures was much larger than the other two and made a fountainous splash.

Kauri was not too pleased by this, thinking that the entrance to the water would be much smoother than it turned out to be, but she had to set her priorities straight. She began to look frantically for the marshal, calling out his name as she whipped around, holding onto the amphibious horse that helped keep her afloat. She hoped to the gods that they hadn't landed on the man and were drowning him at that very moment.

They were far enough from the village that Kauri was all too glad to of brought the other chimera with her, but near enough to see the village in minor detail. She wondered if the marshal had landed closer than she did.

The amphibious mount slipped through the water at a pace that Alden may have underestimated, though Kauri had also underestimated the Marshal in the same way. It almost didn't seem possible, but Kauri was used to seeing strange, surprising things.

Once they arrived on the beach, Kauri denied the sword. "It's no use," she told him, throwing off the cloak she was wearing before, revealing a bandeau and a small, scaled breastplate beneath. Around her waist, she wore a strange garment that resembled shorts but had a skirt-like portion in the back made of folded straps of leather. On her legs, she wore greaves of the same make, but left her feet bare, revealing a strange mix of hooves and claws.

The small amount of clothing she wore came in handy, as the bright, sunny sky was already darkening, and a light drizzle descended upon them. Kauri shook her head and lead the way into the village.

As they stepped into Mahaia, figures emerged from their shacks, peeking out from their doors and windows cautiously. A yell emerged from the far end of the rows of houses before them, announcing their arrival.

"Alert the chief!" Kauri cried. "I come with the High Marshal of Isra!"

Hushed speech erupted from the houses as they passed, soon coming to a slightly better built and well-maintained hut with two guards stationed outside. It was taller than the other houses and made of rock. Kauri pushed aside a vibrant blue curtain and stepped inside after exchanging glances with the guards.

Inside was slightly more spacious than it seemed from the outside, floor lined with a down of broad leaves. It was covered in a light, smoky haze that smelled dry and peppery. At its center, what could only be described as a poor man's throne sat, put together with an artistic use of twine and a few hundred twigs, made to shape curled horns at its head.

Within it sat a creature covered from head to toe in black spines. They were larger than both Alden and Kauri sitting down and looked rather threatening, but the pale-skinned chimera stepped up to them with no fear.

"Chieftan," she spoke, gesturing to Alden. "The High Marshal, as announced." She then stepped aside so that the massive creature, who was barely human in shape, was able to look upon the marshal with shining black eyes.

"Alden Marshal?" it spoke, voice like grinding rocks, words slow and contemplating. "Very good, warden. There is no time to waste here. The rangers have found signs of the culprits. They are... numerous."

A gnarled hand lifted to point to the east, fingers crooked, but just able. "Past the glade."

Apparently they were lucky. Things had gone very well on the way over, and though the sailors spoke amongst themselves in excitement at their skills, the little fey knew better. It was no man, but the land itself that had invited them. Perched delicately on the railing just beyond the wheel of the boat, her fingers trailed over the strings of her harp as easily as one might brush their pet. It wasn't easy to play something "jaunty" as the men had asked, but they seemed pleased with her work at least. Although small, her music seemed to reach every inch of the ship, invigorating those aboard. "Nearly there." the captain assured her as they crested a wave, revealing land beyond. The lookout had already prepared them for it, but nevertheless, excitement filled Martalia's tiny heart fit to burst. She was a being of the forest first and foremost, and although shipping out had been exciting to begin with, she quickly grew weary of it, the only hint of the forest in the dead wood of the vessel itself.

She had to put up quite a fuss before they'd push on with her at first. Most of the men weren't eager to sail with a fey aboard, but once they realized they lacked the capability to actually remove her they accepted her presence and now, perhaps, she would be sorely missed. Buzzing up from her place she ceased her playing, flying to the prow. So this was Paradise Island. She had heard something was wrong with the land here, and being so close she could feel something...off. Whether it was good or evil, it was impossible to say until she investigated, but she'd do her best for the people ashore.

"Paradise Island..." she said softly, her voice barely audible above the waves of the sea. She just had to hear herself say it, just once, to convince herself it was real. She was finally there.

It wasn't often that a boat got this close to Paradise uninterrupted, though the residents that spotted it knew what would happen in due time.

As it approached the coast of Mahaia village, the boat would soon find itself surrounded. Lithe, narrow figures peaked their heads out from the water, almost all of them women covered in scales and slick, blue skin. They followed the boat with ease, not deterred in the slightest by its current.

“Quickly,” they whispered, reaching their hands up in a plead. “You must dock.”

“Danger.”

“Be swift!”

“The storm comes!”

As they spoke, the drizzle became a vicious downpour, and a cold gust began to batter against the side of the boat, trying to tip it.

With Kauri leading the way, she and Alden vanished into The Bristles.

The women of the water swarmed the men of the ship and bombarded them with questions and information. Meanwhile, as Marallia buzzed her way toward the village, someone stampeded onto the beach, drawing an arrow on her.

"Halt!" called a powerful, deep voice. Skittering onto the beach was a figure that could just be identified as a man's. If she inched closer, it would seem as though the man was hovering, but when he shifted his weight, the gigantic spider legs that protruded from his back became obvious.

The man was brown-skinned and thick with muscle. Flaxed braids folded themselves over his shoulder. If one didn't mind the six eyes scattered about his face, he would be easy on the eyes.

"Who are you!" he demanded, keeping the knocked arrow straight at her.

The man's eyes narrowed. "What sickness do you speak of?" he asked, as though he were genuinely confused. "This island harbors no such illnesses. It is free. The magic here has no master. You wish to try and tame it?" He didn't seem impressed, though he did lower his bow a fraction of an inch.

"Paradise takes who it wants and leaves all others out. This is a place where only the strong survive."

After a contemplative pause, the man lowered his bow but didn't put it away. He kept the arrow in one hand, ready to draw it at a second's notice. "How did you find this place?" he asked.

"Nikau, what's going on?"

Someone else skittered into the curtain of rain, making himself known to Martallia. Though not as frightening as the spidery man, he was twice as bizarre. Broad antlers sat atop his head, supported by a thick neck that was covered in wool, which also grew from his shoulders and chest. A long dragonlike tail stirred the sand behind him, and he walked on long chicken-taloned feet. He seemed much more meek than Nikau, but inquisitive.

"Go back, Tama. I will handle it," the spider-legged man demanded.

"There is someone new. How did you come here, stranger? Did the island let you in, too?"

"Where did she go?" Tama inquired when the small girl disappeared. Nikau instantly drew the weapon once more, though none of his six eyes could pinpoint the fae clearly in the rain. The smaller chimera slapped the man one of his legs. "Do not draw your weapon! She said it, herself. The island let her in."

Nikau did not respond, only searched for Martallia with a sneer.

"Six eyes and still you cannot find the bug? How useless," came yet another voice. One of the young, seafaring maidens that had been circling the boat crawled onto shore on her stomach. She was covered with a plethora of large fins and slimy blue skin. Her throat was completely transparent, so every muscle twitch and movement could easily be seen. Why this was became clear when a long tongue slithered from her pale lips and her throat expanded into a bubble as she hummed, "Hello~ little bug. Don't worry, my eyes can see you."