Clouds

Ilyandi the skythinker is an astronomer, no easy vocation on a planet with a very cloudy atmosphere. When she reassures a crew who have seen something strange in the sky, she deploys a mixture of wisdom and practical knowledge.

The fearsome sight confirmed old mariners' tales but those mariners did return to tell their tales and any who did not return must have died in other ways because why should gods or demons kill some, not all?

The sight could not have been a warning because the power would know that the ship was unable to turn back immediately. In fact, whatever passed overhead did not seem to heed the ship. Strangeness is common and need not threaten. ("And therefore as a stranger give it welcome. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio...")

Fiery streaks and tailed stars have been seen on clear nights for centuries. She acknowledges that her order does not understand them but neither does it fear them. Honor and respect signs from the gods. The gods have spoken to give guidance in the past. As a matter of fact, they have...