Jothi glanced up from the wheel, reassuring himself that she was there. That she was real. That she had come back. Elyssbeth stood at the bow in quiet conversation with Nix, who kept rubbing his head against her cheek and cooing.

When Elyssbeth had stepped foot on the carrack, a cry had gone up from the scant six sailors that had stayed behind. They, like him, had faith that she would return and Jothi was overwhelmed with gratitude that they had stayed with him.

They were all gaunter then they had been when they first set foot on Caligos Isle some six years ago. Each with some quirk or memory of the mist. He had been the only one willing enough to even step as close as he had on the island. He often wondered if he’d been brave enough to go deeper in if he’d have been able to save her sooner, but he remembered those early days and how much the mist toyed with them, twisted them, and tried to tear them apart. No, it was better that he had never been tainted by the mist. Never succumbed to the eel-god’s deceptions.

The stormy fingers of wind and rain that had assaulted them as they departed from Caligos were slowly dispersing and the coral hues of sunrise were blossoming on the horizon. He squinted into the light, realizing as he did that he’d only seen the sun through a shroud of indigo mist for the past six years.

Cackling in his year, the craggy voice of an ancient woman comes to him. “Do not forget my payment, boy. Or your promise.”

He suddenly felt exhausted beyond reason.

Gyxsy and Zevvy appeared at his elbow, conspiratorial grins playing on their faces.

“Lets jist git tha’ wheel from yuh, eh Jothi?” Zevvy said as she shouldered her way in front of him.

Gyxsy placed both hands on Jothi’s back and pushed him down the steps of the forecastle. “We put fresh linen’s in tha' cabin, sir. Yuh should convince tha’ capt’n ta join ye,“ the man whispered to Jothi before giving him a push across the deck.

Jothi chuckled as he made his way to the bow, the sails flapping above.

She was back. Elyssbeth was truly back. Surely, the sea hag could wait until he had gotten at least a few hours’ sleep. She couldn't expect payment instantly, could she?

Slipping his arms around her waist, Jothi rested his chin on her shoulder, Nix chirping on the other. She smelled like cherry tobacco, salt, and a hint of applewood. He squished her, causing her to rest her cheek against his face, and he knew she was real. She was not a dream.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “You have no idea what it was like… You…”

Her throat caught and both Nix and Jothi snuggled closer to her to soothe her pain, each murmuring their affections. Each happy to be a trio once more.

---

The Story of Jothi, Nix, and Elyssbeth has come to a close. Many of you came to their story in the middle, but hopefully, you were able to find the loresong that told of the beginning.

Five years ago when I created this trio, I knew I wanted to do some kind of story with them but I wasn't sure how it would be received.

It wasn't until year three that I suddenly realized that you all were invested in them. I saw countless conversations with Jothi. I overheard various talks away from him. I would see people approach Captain Elyssbeth and say, "He's still waiting for you."

It was these things that drove us onward to make the story/quest happen.

GM Modrian coded these NPCs for me back in 2017. Both Haliste and I updated them to reflect the current storylines as the years progressed.

A HUGE thank you to both GM Haliste who coded the quest for me while I tackled other projects and GM Xynwen who tested and refined it. Also, please give big thank yous to GM Gyre who painted both the Nightmare Tides and Shore of Dreams. I only wish that we could have completed the two other quest locations she painted for us, but we ran out of time. Also, please send your applause to GM Xayle who painted our Unicorns AND QC'd the areas for us.

---

Do not fear, you will see the crew of the Niima's Promise again. This only ends a single chapter in their story.


~*~ Thandiwe ~*~
SGM of Events

> I really wish there was a way we non-bards could determine that something, especially things in a room, had a loresong.

I keep telling everyone that they need to include a bard in their group!

--
ESP TUNE TOWNCRIER or ;tune towncrier
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