The Erstwhiles

Placidity

Eight hours of travel didst they flew, prolonged it was avoiding most of the Empire's lands and its sight. In the horizon a city upon cities, Gleaming white & patina. Its domes and spires of marble by the rim are outskirts with much humbler homes though their walls are often tainted by sand. What beheld them yonder was Nabralia, a nation founded upon its indefatigable religion and its citizens' inviolate pride. Where stillness and penance causates peace, A peace so revered that the nation welcomed their would-be conquerors with open arms fifty-eight years ago. It is now one of Lagrania's many dominions.

"See that canyon to the west, we land inside there Rosh," Eyes gaze lazily through the mask unseen yet there.

                                   "Before I say Aye to that Sage, answer me this... Do we have to climb back up?" Rosh's hands firm on the helm, his eyes squinted yonder.

"Worry not, there should be an old mine there... A result of Nabralia's obsession with Jade,"

                                   "Ah, a perfect opportunity to dig a few for us coffers," Rosh's eyes widened with glee, his ears twitching towards the Sage's words.

"Actually I don't mind that... Instead of digging dead people why not just dig for money," Lyra aims her camera towards Nabralia, her face buried close to the glass panels of the dome.

"Don't bother, it's been several centuries since anything was mined, its riches exhausted to build Nabralia's Jade Hall... You'd have a better chance mining your nostrils," The Sage turns around to see a shy laugh from Lyra and Kaja whereas Rosh rolls his eyes. He walks past them to the left to exit the Helm; his cloaked form pats Rosh's shoulders along the way. 

"Teach me," Kaja places a hand on the helm. Rosh faces Kaja, a slight annoyance evident in his crooked eyebrows, he sighs and proceeds to teach Kaja. "It'd be best for you to learn too, Lyra," he beckons for Lyra. She curiously paces towards them, phone in hand.

The Green Tilt canyon from above may seem barren though water flows through it albeit very little, It's home to very discerning fauna and flora whomst adapted to the permanence of Jade dust scattered throughout its crevasse. 

The Lamnelyan descends slowly, its wings slowly folded back and thus the bound lady retracts itself back to the gargantuan parted face making it whole, the mouth remains open allowing the ship to hover. It shoots its spiked anchors to the face of the canyon and reels itself in, inching it closer to the mine's entrance who to any unassuming stranger would just be a cave. The tip of Lamnelyan's bridge is poised ready to extend.

"I found these filtered masks in the bridge it will make do, The dust of the mines are harmful to breathe in... Do not take them off till I say so," The Sage announces as he hands them the masks one by one.

                                    "I think I will layeth mine arse behind for this one," Rosh replies reluctantly.

"No, You will hauleth your arse over here and cometh," Lyra pulls Rosh close to her side.

"We are safer together... Should we leave you alone... and trouble arise... I won't be able to protect you," Kaja adds cryptically, knowing well that it should coerce Rosh.

"I doubt any would survey this area but it's all the better to cloak the ship," The Sage turns to a panel near the helm and presses several commands slowly there after the windows are covered shut, A dull alarm pierces through the entirety of the ship.