He had escaped the palace of the Empress with the aid of Ressid, the remarkable beast of light and fire.  Following the lepidopteran guide named Tila, they flew to the small region held by the Princess Cocobutter.  Most of the lands they flew over were very serene and beautiful, though regulated to the point of enslavement.  However, their destination was a land ravaged by the countless conquerors of Her Highness.  Control was paramount to the Empress and she would never abide by the existence of someone’s freedom beyond her hive.  She planned to make the world hers alone.  The Princess blocked that monopoly, if only narrowly. 

Cyrn had been taken to see the Princess whereupon he spoke of his tale from the island of the Aeriunii to this place.  Those present looked on knowingly, stating that it had happened before.  The Princess and her associates explained to Cyrn how the Empress had enslaved the Pimi-Mele, a tiny and benign race.  She stole them from their home world at birth.  Those who were taken entered a life of mining strange green crystals.  Those left behind were herded together in a small confinement region.  It was the Princess’ desire to rescue them from the Empress’ cruel grasp.  She had already been in the process of a liberation effort when the word of two strangers entering the land was brought to her.  For some reason, when she found out the truth, she was still interested in his origins. 

When the dialogue ended, a messenger flew past them, dropping a fragile dried leaf on its way.  Princess Cocobutter consulted it carefully, then looked bright and dark all at once. 

The Pimi-Mele from a mining pit nearby has attempted an escape, possibly with the help of friends.  Unfortunately, the Empress’ guards were quick to react. announced Princess Cocobutter.  They may have already been recaptured.  We must check for ourselves, however.

Princess Cocobutter summoned a beast of Ressid’s nature and two of her lepidopteran associates.  She said that they commanded great powers which would assist them in the rescue of the captives, if that were still an option.  Cyrn would accompany the troupe in order search for his friend, Beet.

They watched the unusually violent skies with concern, then launched into those howling currents.