II | Sthulhu Returns
The cage, like Jamais’ boat, was completely destroyed. Dravidian had returned to it (while Shekalane scoured the ruined ship for any surviving charts) to retrieve his cloak and other accouterments, but he had secretly hoped the lift might yet be salvaged. It was clear to him now that that was not to be.
He sat down upon a boulder amidst the still smoldering ruins and contemplated their situation, wondering if Shekalane were doing the same, and knowing somehow that she was. He was looking at his now tattered and arrow hole–ridden cloak (still attached to the rearmost bars of the cage) when Sthulhu alighted upon a nearby branch.
“Awk,” squawked the bird, his feathers ruffling as he folded his wings.
Dravidian looked up as if from a dream. At length he said, “Is it
