Crossing the Trayl's Sea, the heroes found their passage suddenly endangered by the fickle Sea Goddess herself. As the wallowing sea stilled, a wind arose to fill their sails, propelling them onto the dark, rugged, rocky shore which suddenly appeared from the mist. Adding to their perils the sea riders saw, quickly approaching, a dreaded 'wave cloud', one of those almost sentient phenomena which were blamed for the frequent sinking of imperial ships in these forbidden waters. The sole, aged priest accompanying the venture, was woken from his fatigue drugged sleep under canvas in the bow, and desperately dragged up by the Prince Captain, Anossess, to earnestly entreat the goddess Trayl, by talking 'into the wind'. Chanting raggedly, but ever more strongly, in Trayl's own secret language, akin to the ancient bird songs of the Grey Brothers, Master Phrannei courageously challenged the Goddess to let their voyage continue. Just before the galley was flung upon the rocky shore and the grey sea clouds descended, he successfully reminded her that the invaders, on landing on any of the Thousand Isles had already made first for her well tended altars, not to offer her thanks for a good journey, but instead to desecrate those ancient sacred places with the blood of infants and sea birds. Moreover the nameless Sibyla they sought had always been a defender of the seabirds and the young islanders, as had the goddess herself. Trayl relented, stepped out of her grey wave cloud, her oaken eyes flashing, and parted her waters. She did however hold all in thrall while she laid a geas on the seekers, that they first release her daughter the demigoddess Choagh the Lucky, presently imprisoned in the painted lands to the north, in return for which she, Trayl the Grey, would ensure following winds and safe passage through her watery kingdom for the galley. The company gave their oaths and parted in higher hopes. Perils of the Isles, A Compendium of Early Tales - Taiylre MacDunaddh, Eduinsburgh Press Another scene from the 'Quest for Helen' series. Again rendered in Vue. I tried using sea tiles, but the seas were too heavy for the coast hugging galley. AS you can see, I have started to develop the pantheons of the Old Religions, in this pre-Dalriata tale. Enjoy. This week has been one of mixed temporal fortunes. Scotland won at football (soccer ), lost at rugby( real football) to Wales, and my home team got mercilessly gutted 6-0 by Glasgow Rangers. Nevertheless, spiritually the week has been both challenging and rewarding. I wish you all a week ahead of peace and contentment, if happiness, as usual eludes you and I both. God bless you all, John.