[color=6ecff6][i]As the transparent sphere around the wolf was dispelled, the relieved look on its visage was evident to all of us. The coral drakes nearly lashed out, but a snarl from the Theullai was enough to stay their blows. The drakes laid their ears back... or I assume those were their ears, and slinked away, leaving the ship and returning to the gate.

The Theullai's attention returned to the tiny and potentially tasty morsel of a gnome, bringing its jaw down to her level. One of the wolf's teeth were as tall as she was, and his breath was worse than the stench of Dyn's breath after curry day, and more frigid than a snowstorm in the Fridge. His voice sounded like a cross between a howling wind and the crunch under your boots on freshly-fallen snow.[/i][/color]

“Thy words bore me, Daughter of Man,” the wolf retorts in Koan’s direction. “And shouldst thee desire thine weapons retrieved, Dragonspawn, I suggest thou dive into the water and find those that sailed past in thine haste. But...”

The Theullai’s attention once more returned to Eliza, and his eyes lowered to be at her level. “Thou intriguest me, Gem-Soul. I shall answer thine myriad questions. In the Plane of Water, it is wet. I have charged myself with guarding the Gate, as the last Steward was slain previously. The drakes are more enslaved allies than friends, and I enjoy petting, but thou wouldst find the experience would leave thee without the use of thine hand. However, the most important of thy questions takes longer to answer.”

The wolf glanced towards the Gate, then back to the ship. “Dwellers of the Sky-Sea, as thou hast proven thine strength and kindness, I beseech thy assistance in this matter. Thy world and mine have become intertwined beyond their natural boundaries. The fate of both of our worlds hang in the balance. I had misjudged thee as mere pirates worthy of naught but destruction. Prove to me thou art worthy of salvation!”