Ajax part 2
Soon after, Ajax's prayers were answered and he received a calling from far off Kathow-tio-Horari. The religion of Quan Yin, since disassociating from the Shalleshe, had moved to form a government which did not involve the pirates at all. Now, having completed the task, they requested the agent of Stasis, bearer of his light, kingmaker, to come and bless the new leadership of the nation. Having just gated, and not wanting to again, he was nonetheless compelled to not engage in a long sea voyage and left quickly for the islands.
Once there, he was treated to a land of milk and honey. The beauty and peace was unmatched on Habololy. For moments, he thought he was on an upper plane. It was awkward being the only orc. Children pointed and laughed, cloistered females scurried away. There were few warriors to speak to, and the paladins did not carry weapons, nor wear much armor. He found eager conversation from diplomats wanting to know of the world that was somewhat cut off from Kathow. The ceremony itself was not overwhelming. The official appointment of the Queen would be held at another time, and it turned out that Queen was a title without the traditional family lineage rules. The nation had decided that the Mother of Quan Yin, the high cleric should not be the head of state as well.
Before the event, Ajax met with Ajinta Kuhami, who would be named queen. A tall Horarian with great poise, her presence was commanding, her voice strong. The Kingmaker did not hesitate to approve, both Ajax and the sword. The Icefian diplomat, the high cleric of Stasis for Kathow, and the queen's family were present, along with several Yinite attendants. After the knighting, Ajax was invited to stay and enjoy the festival in honor of the new Queen. He agreed. Also in attendance was the voice of the Golden Mother, the lizardfolk Sas. The two could not be more different and the strange air the brewed when the met caused the room to shutter.
Shortly before the ceremony finished, a ceremony which took three days, there was an attempt made to kill the queen. Had Ajax and Sas not been in attendance, it would have not succeeded. But as the pirate force was not prepared for those two, the effort could fairly be called comical. There were no Horarians killed, and even only two assailants in of two hundred were slain. When it ended, the festival began. Ajax enjoyed life as he had rarely before. When Sas' time to leave came, he invited Ajax to visit him at the palace of the Golden Mother. A year, perhaps two later, the time came to leave. Horari proved a fine place and Ajax spent time in the mountains teaching the few martial paladins. They named a tower in his honor and he promised to return.
Getting to the palace of the Golden Mother proved a challenge. Ajax was concerned about getting there via gate for several reasons, and no ships that he knew of would make the trip. He should have thought to ask Sas to have a dragon carry him. Even if he summoned a creature, it would not know the way. After some time, he was told of one ship that would make the trip, the Guardian of the Tide. It was sent for and arrived. The smiling crew including a assortment of suspicious characters. Weirdly shaped fey, a drow first mate, a shifty mage, a foppish captain and by Stasis' rarely used hammer, another orc! What curse had been lain upon his brethren that would have forced him aboard a ship for years? Ah, he was a half orc.
The trip was thankfully swift. The sea nor the crew appealing to Ajax. Competent and smart, they certainly lacked enough sense to be traveling in such a resplendent vessel. Ajax worried clowns and their prize would soon be parted. But then again, he felt that was about most sailors, so he tried not to hold it against them. Spending that much time at sea might have the same effect on him. His arrival at the palace was not the reaction he often received. The dragons were not as impressed and while polite offered no pomp and circumstance. He spend time conversing with Sas, and by extension the Golden Mother. After some months there, he sensed the Kingmaker drawing him south.
A dragon named in the common tongue Firelight, gold in color, was offered / assigned / told to fly Ajax to his destination. Flying was somewhat better than sailing, but the stops on small islands were dull and uncomfortable. The dragon dropped Ajax off south of Layraedia, where he would not be seen and bid Ajax farewell. Following the sword, he went north. His time in Ekarude was eventful and spanned several years.