If you missed the last chapter, you can find it [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/223219564?sort=0&page=0]here[/url]. If you haven't read all the chapters, go to the [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/222701511?sort=0&page=0]Table of Contents[/url]. Hope you enjoy this chapter! :D The ketch soars straight through the Venusian atmosphere. The scolding, sunray-vacuum that is the atmosphere bakes the ship for a few seconds, and seconds after we have left it. The acid clouds are perched beside the gods, high above the surface, pouring rain and jabbing the ground far below with its electrifying bolts. The Venusian ocean comes into view: a thick, hot, salty sea, painted orange from the sulfur within its depths. The main land was different: half of it was a jungle, and the other half was volcanic and riddled with hot springs. They simmered and seethed this world, and if one were to enter the hot springs, they would meet a terrible fate. I had always dreamt of this place. Finally, my kell brings us here by what seems like a blessing for us both. The jungles had reclaimed this place long ago; what it has not reclaimed are the secrets of the Ishtar Collective, and the mechanical Vex ruins that speckle the surface. Vesrik sets the ketch in stealth just five miles away from Hezen Coast, where Pahanin’s Cove is located. He stood up on the speech stone to give the order, the crew to bring in a new Scar Archon Priest. “Everyone, listen! This is an important step for building this House. I’m sending down barons Nayvadis and Rager down to the cove with a crew of six. They will choose who they see fit to come with them.” Some of the eliksni stared at me; some do not see me worthy of being a baron, since I was Awoken. Nayvadis was highly respected, however, being one of Scar’s most efficient and cunning eliksni warriors. Vesrik continued, “You both make sure you do not bring me some drunken scum. They do not have to be large, just skilled and willing! We will stuff him with ether when the prime servitor is built. Please, do [i]not[/i] choose someone without humility. I’d rather not have [i]another[/i] crew member acting like they were in the Battle of Mare Imbrium.” [i]Referring to that exo down in the engine room, no doubt [/i], I thought to myself. Nayvadis and I headed for the hangar after we had picked up our crew: two eliksni, three humans, and one exo. We piled onto the ship, Nayvadis and I at the helm. We fly towards the coast, and see the walled-in town. Pahanin’s Cove used to belong to the Vex, until they mysteriously abandoned it. A guardian founded this place for traders and the peoples hiding on Venus, a place that is hidden from the House of Winter. A Vex spire lies at the center of this large town, always watched by the guards. Nayvadis docked the skiff right outside of the town. We are greeted by three guards, and frankly, they look suspicious. I approach them first to speak. “Do not be alarmed by the eliksni in our presence. They mean no harm; they are docile creatures.” Nayvadis snaps, “Excuse me? I just know when a blade is not necessary, Rager! Never call an eliksni ‘docile.’ Disgusting…” I stare at the banners hanging down off the walls besides the gates of the city. A blue banner, with a black cephalopod as the coat of arms: the Sigil of Pahanin. The guards laugh at his comment. “You will be allowed entry, so long as your kell did not send you to stir trouble. We do not want the Fallen Houses sinking their teeth into this settlement.” Nayvadis replies, “Do not worry. My kell does not have any interests in taking anything from you.” One of the guards spoke, “Fine. Just know that you are on watch; we don’t normally allow people to enter this easily. By the courtesy of Payam, you are allowed into Pahanin’s Cove!” The gates to the city opened, and the guards stood their post. Our crew walked into the protected enclave, and many people on the street stared us down. One eliksni, a vandal, looked at us coldly. I looked away quickly, but some of our new crewmen held their gazes awkwardly. [i]I swear, some of them are as green as they come[/i], I thought. Nayvadis looks as if he’s had an epiphany, and ready to tell me some strategy as he normally would. Excellent strategist, but I did not see why we needed one here, during a search. He tells me, “I shall go to the eastern part of the city. You should go to the center of town, near the spire. This part of town doesn’t look like the place.” [i]I stand corrected on the strategizing[/i], I thought, self-loathing. I reply, “While I am there I could meet with the cove’s leader, Payam. I will ask him if he knows someone with the skill of an Archon Priest.” “Not a bad idea. I will take the human crew; you take the two eliksni and the exo.” I felt it sad that we did not know their names. After all, we are bridge crew barons; we should know our crew. I headed further north in the town, the spire getting larger as I got closer. Payam’s palace was said to be in the shadow of the Vex spire. I just hope that Payam would listen to what I had to say. I finally reached the city center, and gazed upon the palace. Pahanin's Sigil hung from flags and were painted on the doors. The people walking around the center seemed friendlier and more respectful than the ones I met at the gates. [i]Guess the districts of scum are split from the regulars. If I lived here, they would throw me in the pig pen[/i], I thought to myself, chuckling. [i]I just hope this Payam guy isn't some scoundrel looking to make one-sided bargains.[/i] I speak to the guards at the front of the palace. "I'm here to see your leader, Payam. I have some questions." A guard eyes me suspiciously. "Why should we let [i]you[/i] in? We have enough troublemakers!" The other guard frowns at the first. "Who put you in charge, Stephen? Sorry about him, he's the new recruit. Go on in, sir." They opened the gates to the palace. I was going to find an Archon.