The 20th Scroll: Mysterious refugees

[Gamemaster]

2nd of Dar
Old Rajab was the first to arise the next morning. He could still smell the goat's meat from the previous night's feast. His mouth watered at the memory as he stood and stretched. He wandered away from the camp and over to where the camels lay patiently. The sun was no more than a faint hint of light on the horizon and the air was cool and clean; Rajab appreciated this as only those accustomed to the burning deserts can.
They'd not found much among the debris dropped by the fleeing nomads, certainly nothing of value. "Well," old Rajab said aloud, it was his custom to speak to the camels as if they understood, "they dropped 'his majesty'." Rajab bowed with great exaggeration to a cud-chewing, disinterested camel. "Would you take sugar with your coffee my lord?" The camel chewed... didn't reply. Rajab laughed and wandered a bit farther off to relieve himself. He sometimes felt he should get credit for guard duty as often as he had to get up in the night and "water the desert".
--
It was later that day that they spotted the mysterious refugees. The summer sun blanketed the sea of sand relentlessly as the party continued trekking northwesterly. Those who didn't call the desert their home could only trust that they weren't being lead in circles and that their ever shrinking supply of water would be sufficient to escape this unforgiving land.
A line of two dozen camels trudged over a sand dune, heading in the party's direction. The riders were gaunt and haggard, caked with dust and slumped in their saddles as if thoroughly exhausted. The lead rider cried out in unabashed joy when he spotted the party. He and another approached the party while the rest of his caravan- a mix of males and females, young and old, awaited nearby.
The leader, a 40-year-old man with a pocked face and stringy hair, introduced himself as Shuíahm. He gestured to his companion. "My son, Ushak." Ushak was a teenager with sad eyes and a wispy beard.
Shuíahm asked the party for as much water and food as they could spare. "We have come far with very little. My people are weak. The camels may not last."

[Gamemaster]

After the party discussed the situation, they gathered up what few supplies, mostly feed for the camels, that they could spare and presented them to the desperate refugees.
Shuíahm graciously accepted the gifts. "By giving life to our camels, you give life to us. Thank you, and may fate guide and protect you."
They had little with which show their gratitude but where pleased to be able to present Waleed Ibn Alurah with a scimitar, his having been taken by the 'son's of dog water' nomads that held him prisoner.
Khafaz ibn Dahz was annoyed by the delay and made no secret of his anxiousness to continue. Fahad's chief administrator was no stranger to the desert, but he was accustomed to the comforts of Tajar and any delays in his return greatly taxed his patience.
Sahra looked with concern at the group of refugees. "Where are you from?"
Shuíahm hesitated. Ushak said: "We are from Quabah. A place..."
"Quiet!" shouted Shuíahm. He turned to the party. "A place far away." He would say no more about their homeland.
When asked where he is going, Shuíahm said, "The nearest village. Perhaps you could direct us? We have been wandering for many days."
Turin and Ya'Qub consulted their maps and suggested Fabada, a village of sheep farmers north of the Mountains of Forgotten Dreams. It was no more than three days ride to the east.
When Amir pointedly asked what happened to Shuíahm and his people, Shuíahm said only, "It is best not to talk of such things."
Before they parted company, Shuíahm asked the party their own destination. Before they could respond, his son Ushak blurted, "Turn back if you are going to Quabah. Or Hulm-".
Shuíahm cut him off. "Silence! We will never again speak the names of these places!"
He thanked the party for their courtesy, then left, Ushak tagging behind.
Before they parted company, Shuíahm asked the party their own destination. Before they could respond, his son Ushak blurted, "Turn back if you are going to Quabah. Or Hulm-".
Shuíahm cut him off. "Silence! We will never again speak the names of these places!"
He thanked the party for their courtesy, then left, Ushak tagging behind.
"I pity any man who calls Quabah his home." Amir said well after Shuíahm and his son were out of earshot. "It is not as far as the old man would have us believe, perhaps only a day's ride from Vahtov. But if there is trouble there as well as in Hulm..." --
3rd of Dar
In the midday haze that wavered on the horizon, the first breaks in the featureless sands appeared. The highest peaks of distant mountains appeared, growing ever taller as the sun inched toward the horizon. By late afternoon, the party arrived at the foothills and after consulting their maps, headed toward the nearest pass. Vahtov lay to the northwest, beyond several mountain ranges; to the north the cities Quabah and Hulm.
The sun touched the horizon and lit it a brilliant orange. Ya'Qub rode at the head of the group, comparing the terrain before him with his maps. His map showed no paths through the mountains so he was using his best judgment.
The party rode through a winding narrow pass, now anxious to camp as the fading sunlight cast long shadows and the footfalls of the animals echoed eerily. Ya'Qub spurred the caravan onward, yet a little farther, disliking the idea of sleeping in such narrow confines. He wasn't the only one who felt this way.

[Gamemaster]

Oddly, and despite their barren surroundings, a smell of rich vegetation was growing stronger as they made their way deeper into the pass. Rounding a sharp bend, they emerged in a small valley. The contrast to the past week's travels was breathtaking.
Before them, not a stones throw away, a small oasis was nestled in the valley. Beyond it, a small, elaborately columned building; perhaps an ancient temple or tomb.
But it was not these sights that momentarily struck the party speechless. For their eyes were drawn to the two women bathing nude in the oasis. As they laughed and splashed playfully, a big Nubian male, carrying a scimitar of enormous proportions, was preparing a fire nearby.
At almost the same moment, both groups became aware of the other.
"Avert your eyes!" Amir commands the party at the same moment turning his gaze to the ground.
"We have no quarrel with you." he says addressing the Nubian. "Forgive us our indiscretion." he adds to the bathing nymphs.
Chanati gets out of the water and her woman starts massaging her as she rests by this large fit lioness just sunning, still nude. "I'm Chanati a Houri and he's my man," the beautiful woman waves him to his task, "come then you need to refresh yourselves."
Noticing the blushing men, "Never saw a nude woman I'm a Houri not by nature a modest creature like my mistress the Goddess Sharess." She eventually puts on some clothing and takes the shade as her woman does her hair up.
Waleed did not avert his eyes, why would he? Someone was shouting something, he wasn't sure what was being said, but he saw Amir out of the corner of his eye moving his lips so he must have said something, but Waleed's attention, his thoughts, were elsewhere. "Oh blessed Fate, we have either died and arrived in Paradise or this is some desert mirage."
Her companion comes over, "My lady would like to offer any man here her services for a modest fee." Drops the price equal to month’s earnings for most here. A wealthy Caravan Master could hire her or a member of the better classes. Chanati seeing a woman laborer walks up and strokes the womans hair, "You can be with me tonight I can wash you and I want to see you on your back burning in pleasure at my touch- if you wish at no charge." Will then return to her place.
Waleed quickly pats himself to find any source of monetary funds and is dismayed to find that he is, as he was days before while in the captivity of the Sons of Wolf nomads, penniless. "Oh cruel Fate that I, son of royal blood, have become poor when bountiful riches are so closely attainable." Looking over to Ya'qub, Waleed whispers quietly, "Say Ya'qub, got any dinars I can borrow?"
Stunned to see such not one but two women with so little modesty, Ya'qub tried to do the proper thing and avert his eyes. However her beauty and confidence made the simple task a real struggle.
Ya'qub moves to a position not quite between the strange woman and Sahra, as if to protect her should any move be made, yet not so obvious as to raise the ire of the large Nubian.
The large lioness gets up and takes an aggressive stance. "Don't mind her she's a gift from Sharess goddess of felines, pleasures and travel a guardian that would be replaced if killed I'm one of the goddesses consorts." Chanati tells the tale of Sharess rescuing her from ravishment and death then of what its like to be loved by a goddess in all the pleasant details- not being ashamed. "So Ya'qub pleasure is not just my business its in my blood and I welcome all of you men to be with me tomorrow its been awhile since I've HAD that pleasure." Looks at the Caravan Master, "You have the first time rights and the rest can take turns with me under the shade of those trees- just be well washed first." She has the clear Mark of Sharess on her body and that explains a-lot of her lack of modesty the Sharessians are rarely modest. And she is kind of the goddesses champion!

[Gamemaster]

Sahra recoils in embarassment and shock. She buries her face behind her veils and cowers behind Ya'qub.
"Oh my," Waleed said meekly, "this has become very... interesting." Clearing his voice a little, Waleed asked, "Chanati, you're not from around here are you? I'm very learned in many things, but I have never heard of this goddess 'Sharess' that you speak of.
How came you to this place? If you don't mind me asking?" Waleed was still captivated by her beauty and outright boldness that he was locked in place, unsure as to whether he should dismount or stay put, so he chose the latter.
Perhaps it was a coincidence that the doors of the temple swung open just as the last rays of sunlight disappeared below the horizon, perhaps not. You were already shrouded in darkness, rugged mountain walls surrounding the valley looming unseen around you, the small fire doing little more than illuminating the small oasis and the entrance of the temple.
"My Goddess is reawakened after a slumber she chose a handful of us to bring pleasure to the world and to travel, "smiles putting on more clothes, "she promotes sensual delights of all sorts from Hashish to being taken by several men and women at once."
Smiling at the woman," All your women so modest its sweet it invites me to rip off her clothes to take her- well I don't know I fell asleep with my lover and companion waking up here." Shrugs and dressed more modestly,"I guess this should be better- I should have some sort of work for her here but not sure what."
Waleed could only nod his head and smile weakly, he wasn't quite sure to make of all of this. Seeing the temple doors open he was intrigued but wary. Whispering over to Ya'qub, he wasn't sure if he was serious or not, but needed to voice an opinion, "It's a trap."
Amir looks directly at Chanati, all trace of propriety swept aside from the desire which burns in his eyes. "I have had a dozen such women as yourself brought before me." he says with a hearty laugh. "And though not all have been quite as... tempting as you, I am not accustomed to paying for such pleasures."
Night, 3rd of Dar
The scraping of stone across sand as the door swung slowly open. A flickering of the fire as a stale wind roiled out from the darkness within.
For a moment nothing else happened. Then a voice from within could be heard. "I have granted your master's wish, even now as he awakens in his crypt, she awaits outside. Her servants have her bathed and ready for his eternal embrace."
As the voice died away, there was a sudden terrible trembling from deep within the earth. All but Chanati where cast down. She was lifted from where she stood and swept on the crest of a wave of moving earth to the steps before the temple.
"And thus," bellowed the giant, horned nightmare of a head that filled the doorway, "my cursed service is complete! Fate willing, may your master rot another 1000 years, never knowing the pleasure he craves!"
Before any could even stand, the jinni squeezed its massive, feathered body through the door and spreading its wings flew from the temple and into the night.
Two shadowy figures rush from the temple!
--
Waleed could only nod his head and smile weakly, he wasn't quite sure to make of all of this. Seeing the temple doors open he was intrigued but wary. Whispering over to Ya'qub, he wasn't sure if he was serious or not, but needed to voice an opinion, "It's a trap."

[Gamemaster]

Trying not to be annoyed with his new-found companion who seems to consider Ya'qub a close confidant, the caravaneer whispers back "You may well be right..."
"Ahh, I think it has now been confirmed. Amir! Have you healed sufficiently?"
In answer to Ya'qub's question, in a flash Amir springs to his feet, nocks an arrow to his bow, fixes his sights on the onrushing figures, and waits to see what will hapen next.
As Amir readies his arrow, Ya'qub jumps to his feet in a position directly in front of Sahra, shielding her. His hand reaches into his clothes and grasps the hilt of his father's dagger, ready for what may come next...
Twin roars erupted from Chanati's companions as the lioness and warrior got to their feet and charged to her defense.
The shadowy figures took shape before Chanati- two warriors clad in billowing robes, hands grasping, leathery skin stretched thin over bone, their wide, sunken-eyed faces leering a yellow-toothed rictus.
As she struggled with them, a gust of wind sprung up, swirling sand that pelted the temple doors. The heavy doors inched slightly closed, then stopped.
From the darkness inside, a dry voice hissed: "Bring her to me..."
Ya'qub couldn't help but feel the nerves welling up deep within him. He wasn't sure what to make of the strange woman who offered her...pleasure so freely, but his sense of honor prevented him from letting things go on unchallenged.
"Chanati!" he shouts. "Ith thith of your own dethire, or not? Should we intervene?"
"Look to your own safety, Ya'qub!" Amir shouts, his bow still drawn. "This creature has given us no reason to trust her. Are you so eager to meddle in the affairs of spirits?"
"Ithric Yethria Muralicc!," Chanati grabs a Scimitar and it flies out and prepares to make battle on the creature the Lioness in charging dancing and weaving and slashing. Chanati takes her other scimitar and it becomes wreathed in magical fire. "Ahhh I don't mind unique sex but spirits I don't think so any help is appreciated good sirs!" She prepares to engage the creature her nubian guard is engaging.
"Would that Fate had not cursed me with companions so virtuous!" Amir snarls noticing his lust-smitten companions preparing to jump into the fray. "You will owe us for this, Houri, and I for one am prepared to collect my due!"
Sahra got to her feet and with a fearful glance over her shoulder ran to assist Maarouf and Rajab with the frightened camels.
Ya'qub shoots Amir a hurt look "Not tho!" he protests. "I wath only contherned that thethe thingth might come after uth when they are finished with her."
Having no ranged weapons, and no desire to enter the fray at close quarters, the likable caravaneer glances over his shoulder and is relieved that Sahra is clear-headed enough to care for the camels. "She really is an extraordinary woman!" He marvels to himself.
Khafaz and Turin stayed characteristically back with the caravan. If anything, they could be trusted to stay out of the way of danger.
Chanati's hand servant crowered in fear, her face buried in her hands.
Mamoun struggled to his feet, dusting himself off and looking around. But, there was no need to help his young master- Waleed was already on his feet.
Chanati, uttering strange words that buzzed like flys in one's ears, summoned two magical scimitars; one a cold silver that shone as if touched by moonlight another that burned bright orange, tongues of flame licking its blade.

[Gamemaster]

Not even for a moment did the crypt servants pause. From their tattered sashes they drew great scimitars and with a unholy clash of steel on steel they effortlessly parried her attacks.
Seeing an opening Amir released an arrow. It glowed red then burst into flame the instant before it struck the chest of the nearest crypt servant. The arrow passed through what must have been paper thin skin and rattled into the darkness of the temple doorway.
Amir's second arrow was an instant behind the first, striking the same strange warrior, but this time in the turban. Its head whipped back violently, the arrow a ricocheting streak of fire that carried an unfurling turban with it.
Near the doors of the temple the wind continued to blow against the heavy stone doors, but still they would not swing shut.
First the lioness and then giant black warrior struck the servants of the crypt, bearing them backwards with the force of their charge.
Chanati stood panting, scimitars at the ready. Half turning she shouted, "Please! Help me!" Gone was the seductive tone and haughtiness; in its place geniune fear. She seemed to hear something and turned back toward the temple. For a moment it seemed she was listening to someone. Then both of her swords faded away and she stood still, arms hanging limp at her side.
Chanati's companions suddenly crumbled into fine sand, turning into windblown piles even before the echo of their cries died away.
From within the temple, Amir's arrow flickered faintly as the flame consumed its wooden shaft. Then it died suddenly. From the bowels of the temple swept a large serpent that coiled around an unresisting Chanati.
Sahra screamed. Even in the faint flickering light of the campfire, the serpent's human head could be seen.
"Time for us to leave!" Waleed said in fright and made a motion with his hand as if throwing something underhand as he moved back and away from Chanati and her deadly companion.
"Someone speaks sense at last!" Amir shouts. "This is a matter between gods and their servants. It does not concern us."
He steps further back from the temple, his bow trained on the madness before him. "The serpent has what it wants. Let us not give it any reason to want more."
Seeing Amir back away from the fray, Ya'qub also releases his hold on the hilt of his dagger, leaving it at rest beneath his clothes. He turns his attention to the laborers who are holding the camels.
"Thahra! Rajab! Maarouf! We mutht leave thith plathe. Let'th move the camelth back -- thlowly! Ath Amir hath thaid, we do not want to give thethe demonth reathon to theek uth for deththert!"
Hearing his master's voice, Mamoun broke his wide-eyed gaze from the creature that would slither across the landscape of his dreams for years to come. He saw three spinning balls of light twirl from Waleed's hand and strike the sand before the temple. The instant they struck the earth, a dustdevil spun to life, creating a twirling wall of sand between the party and the serpent.
Old Rajab and Maarouf, his perma-grin momentarily replaced by a look of grim determination, drove the camels back toward the exit of the valley. Sahra followed, arms waving as she guided any straggling camels. Khafaz lead the way into the dark mountain pass, bravely leading the retreat he'd later say, with Turin close behind.
The temple doors slammed shut with a finality that echoed throughout the valley. Ya'qub, Waleed, and Amir backed hastily toward the narrow pass, stumbling in the darkness.
They'd almost reached the narrow pass entrance when Amir saw two figures lower themselves from a window on the second floor of the temple. The figures were smaller than the crypt servants and paused at the fading campfire to grab a brand of wood.

[Gamemaster]

Waleed and Ya'qub sensed Amir's pause and turned to look. Two figures where rapidly approaching; one carrying a flaming torch from the campfire.