Once we arrived at our stopover point on the way to Arcadia, Allyna once again proved to be a problem. I referred her to 'our current leader', and she started to challenge me once again. Fortunately, Jeanette rose to her leadership role, and served as a useful foil in my conversation with Allyna. I took the opportunity to insert pertinent comments, leaving the lion's share of speech to the other two.
The departures were unfortunate, but expected. I had known that Engela was leaving, and it was apparent that Allyna would either leave or continue in her attempts to usurp leadership. It is fortunate for her health that she chose the former. For all her power, she has been more of a liability than an asset. I worry about possible attempts to hinder me from afar, but that risk is far less than the risk of alienating my other, more dependable allies. Should Allyna actively oppose me in the future...well, she'd better be successful on her first attempt. She won't get a second one.
I took over negotiations with the shadow's natives, due to their male-dominated society. It went well, and we were on our way the next day, well-provisioned and in a vessel more suited to our destination. Andra agreed to take the other ship back to its homeland...which I consider a personal decision on her part. She should know me well enough by now to know how I feel about the captain's attempts to alter our agreement for transport.
Soon, I will be leader again in name, as well as fact. I hope that this brief respite, and the departure of Allyna, will unify the group as we enter the land of magic and illusion - Arcadia.