For this posting I'll be cribbing information from an earlier reply to one my posting since I had already written out much of the important stuff for it.It had come to my attention that I had never really explained how I got to Andur in the first place. It was by way of "The Ship"

"The Ship" is a vessel that has visited Andur for as long as people there can remember. The Romans noted the tales of it during their short possession of Andur, but either it never showed up during the 100 years or so that they occupied Andur or they just discounted its visits as being local superstition. Sometimes entire generations can pass with it never showing up.

"The Ship" is an unassuming looking single mast vessel of dhow-like construction that have sailed the Arabian Sea for centuries. The only thing that making it stand out in the 14th century is that uses twin steer boards instead of a single rudder and tiller. It is unremarkable in appearance possessing not dazzling sails and standards or brilliant paint on its hull. Except for a weathered dark green band of color around its hull and an ornamental eye painted on each side of the bow it is at first glance an unassuming vessel. It is of modest size but people instinctively in the city seem to become aware of its arrival and will gather at the docks when it shows up, for its arrivals always heralds the arrival of Newcomers from faraway lands! So significant are these Newcomers that their arrivals are recorded in great tomes that are kept in the Sultan's Palace.

The first dream I ever had in Andur started with the words. "Hey wake up we're almost there!" I woke up and found myself on the deck of "The Ship" not remembering ever getting on it or wanting to be on it. In fact the last thing I could remember was preparing for a presentation with a client the next morning and going to bed. Now I was on the deck of this vessel heading toward an exotic middle-eastern style city wearing period clothing with a satchel containing some 14th century style drawing equipment. I also had some money but when I inquired whether I could just pay for a immediate return trip I was told I did not have enough funds for that. Gee, how nice!

Now I can not, nor can anyone else who has seen "The Ship" can truly describe what the crew looks like. Ask three different people what species the captain was and they'll all say something different but then won't be able to describe him or any of the crew in any detail. The sun was behind the crew members so glare blocked out their features or they were wearing hoods. They'll remember that the Captain had a honest voice, but no one can remember what exactly he said. Or what his or any crew members exactly sound like. People will tell you that the vessel always appears to be in good condition and that they are positive that the crew has unloaded cargo but no one remembers what? Nor does any taxes appear to be ever collected. The crew never comes ashore despite endless offers and always seem to find away to "politely way to decline". While people are aware of its arrival no one ever sees "The Ship" leave? In the morning it's just gone.

Since my arrival "The Ship" has visited more times than has ever been recorded before. All of the original "Moderns", the term we are referred to in Andur, with the exception of Petina have arrived on it, and Petina won't say how she got to Andur......Great!