[Expedition] Those who hunt the sun.

Cynis... It was not a House name that brought any pleasant thoughts to Ieyda's mind. They were almost polar opposites; House Cathak was built upon service, discipline, and sacrifice. Though their House boasted the greatest number of Exalt second only to House Mnemon, they also had one of the greatest mortality rates. 'Service demanded sacrifice' is the answer that would be given from a Cathak. Of course, other Houses might answer something to the tune of poor decision making or sloppy technique. Never in earshot of a Cathak, naturally.

By comparison, House Cynis was noted for their indulgence and debauchery. Perhaps more than any other House in the Realm, Cynis was filled with excesses enough to make even other Dragon-Blooded blush with embarrassment. From just about any other Cynis, he would have torn the letter to shreds. However, he recognized the penmanship even before he read her signature. There was one woman whom he knew from the House of Bells who took such lengths and even crafted excuses to write letters.

Cynis Tsao was a woman who managed to get mixed feelings from the Cathak. Her career in the House of Bells was not a particularly distinguished one. While Ieyda performed adequately with command, as he recalled Tsao was a bit sloppy. She had a habit of overlooking weaknesses in her formations or the enemy's and made decisions more as an individual than as a commander. Though, perhaps more grievously, she didn't particularly apply herself to try and correct that weakness in performance. It was only through her family's influence that she was allowed a nominal graduation from the academy.

Despite that strong Cynistic lifestyle, Ieyda could recognize her good qualities. Like him, she gave herself wholly into a fight. While not exceptionally strong, she was very graceful and exceptionally skilled with her spear. They had sparred a few times in the academy, and more often than not, he had only beaten her out due to better endurance. While she could easily meet him blow-for-blow, she couldn't quite take an equal number of blows. She was a fine fighter. 

And then there was the meat of the letter. A hunt... for an Anathema. He was unsure of what to make of the offer at first glance when he opened the letter. While they were taught to hate the Anathema, he had heard stories of their power. Not every one of them was quite as terrifying and devastating as the Bull of the North, they nonetheless usually required a least a fang of men to deal with. To try and take one on with just two...

As the sun crested the horizon over Tuchara, Ieyda marched down the docks. His armor shone where the sun struck past the cloak that otherwise obscured his form. He spotted the shorter woman easily enough from a distance. Her clothes alone, with all their vibrancy, made her stand out in a crowd. But the way she fidgeted amongst the dock workers waiting for him to show up or not. Of course, he stood almost a head above most of the dock workers, so it was difficult to imagine she didn't see him coming. He stopped just short of her and looked down with a rather impassive face.

"Do we have a plan? Or shall we hope to hit it over the head and bring it home?"

Cynis Tsao

Every Dynast hated the Anathema, demons who invaded the bodies of the unvirtuous and devoured their souls. To be labeled an Anathema, or even accused of harboring one, was tantamount to a death sentence, such was the hatred that filled the minds of the Realm. Yet Ieyda knew there was more to it than that. He had heard the stories about Tsao's brother who had been killed by an Anathema. It was a personal matter for the boisterous Cynis. She carried his fallen legacy, as well as that of her second brother, and sought entirely to live up to the expectations for all. Even if she was a Cynis, Ieyda could not help but have a small measure of respect for her efforts.

His eyes followed her as she jumped up onto the ship while considering her outline. So there was a Wyld Hunt for the Anathema, they simply hadn't much success in pinning the demon down. He ran a calloused hand across his chin in thought, weighing the options at hand. "If I'm going, then we'll be doing more than just watching." His voice was a rumbling bass that flowed smoothly from word to word, like the tides under the moon. "We can monitor her movements, use what we know of the area against her. If possible, we can force her through a canyon or keep her running in circles in the desert. Whether through trap or the elements, we wear her down and then strike."

Taking his first step on the ramp, Ieyda took a noticeable bracing breath. Even as a Water Aspect, Ieyda was never particularly fond of ships on the water. He swam, of course, just fine, but there was something about the rocking motion of a ship on the water that made him uneasy. Perhaps it was the unsteady footing he was left with. But this was necessary to reach Chiaroscuro, and the Anathema.

"Do we have any further resources available to us for this mission, or is it what we bring with us?" Ieyda knew well enough that the Wyld Hunt and killing an Anathema would bring much glory to a House, so many were willing to put up with backing such missions in the hopes of improving their status and reputation. He had not deigned to inform Cathak Cairan as he felt the constant pressure of his House demanded that he do this without their aid. If House Cynis were backing them, they could potentially arrange to grab some extra men, make it look like there were more Dragon-Blooded than there were. Perhaps the demon would panic and make a move to more easily be struck down. 

Cynis Tsao

Ieyda stared blankly at Tsao for a moment before he fished a hand inside of his cloak and pulled out two obols before tossing them to her mutely. However, there was the faintest hint of a smile in the corner of his mouth as he stepped past her and onto the boat. He had something of a reputation as an uncaring, unfeeling suit of anger, but a bet was something he could get behind. Any form of competition where he could prove himself would be a way to try and chip away at his ill-fortune. Plus is wasn't often that the opportunity came around to hunt an Anathema. 

After they cast off, Ieyda spent much of his time between maintaining his stomach and quietly hoping that they caught the Anathema before they reached the Lap. At least two of his cousins awaited him, neither of whom he was particularly thrilled to meet. Sijip was one of the satraps of the Lap and was viewed as something of a mixed bag. She did well in maintaining order and keeping the taxes coming into Cathak coffers, but she could do more, and just as often as she'd support a Realm-favored project, she's shut another one down for no reason.

The bigger problem, and the one Ieyda wanted to meet the least, was Cathak Letal. That man was a waste of space on the best days. And yet somehow, despite his gross incompetence, the man commanded a Legion. He had no right, no business leading a Legion, yet it was his gift for being an elder Cathak. Ieyda had seen the insufferable wretch twice, and twice had to refrain from beating the bastard's head in. The head of their House, Cathak Cairan, refused to do away with bad blood. How this kept Letal in control of one of the greatest expenditures of military might by the Realm was beyond him. 

The first week of travel was uneventful. Ieyda spent most of it doing what any cooped-up military man would do; he did drills. Fortunately the deck of the ship was large enough that he could do them without risk of knocking over barrels or crates of expensive goods. But as the eight dawn came, even he was forced to admit that boredom was slowly creeping up on him. This was why he detested traveling by the ocean. It might have been faster, and he'd be lying if he said there was no comfort in the taste of the sea on the air, but there was nothing to do but wait for the wind gods to do their thing. Perhaps Cynis Tsao would have something to talk about. Perhaps he could learn more about the Anathema they hunted. Now where was she this time...

He gave a smile, only slightly forced, and a slight bow of his head. "No, thank the gods. I am a Child of Daana'd after all. I'm simply not used to moving aboard something else moving." It was unusually to hear him claim that title aloud, a testament to some measure of acceptance on his part as to his Exaltation, or perhaps a result of being out on the open sea like this. It was hard to deny that he did seem a bit more relaxed than when they first stepped foot on the boat. No matter how much he might have disliked it at first, or vehemently denied it, it was plain to see that Cathak Ieyda was a Water Aspect. 

"I fear I do not do well on eventless journeys like this," he admitted suddenly in an awkward start to conversation. "I have never been one to handle... vacation well." He chuckled and wondered what his dragonlord would say if she knew he was spending his first vacation from the Legion off hunting Anathema. Probably laugh... then punch him. He was rather stubborn like that. "I was hoping perhaps we could talk a little more about this Anathema we're going to hunt. It seems you've done your investigations to track her down, but I know nothing about her beyond what little yo-"

His comment was cut short by a violent shake of the ship that sent him tumbling to the ground. Above, on the deck, he could hear the sounds of shouts and screams. There was a new scent on that fresh searwater air; the scent of blood. Without a word to Cynis Tsao, Ieyda scurried out the door and quickly made his way up to the top deck. Once there, he got a better look at what was going on.

A seaweed need had been tossed over the side of the ship and a large harpoon had anchored itself to the ship's hull. Another ship had pulled along side them, looking similar in design but obviously having spent much time underwater. Around the edge of the trade ship, Ieyda spotted a number of humanoids riding sharks. "The gods take my tongue..." This was what he got for declaring his boredom, it seemed...