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Post by Gamemaster on Oct 3, 2006 13:39:36 GMT -7
[Dramatis personae] Keesha the sorceress: once an orphan on the streets of Huzuz, now a powerful woman of some renown Maher the sailor: a young man on his first voyage, eager to prove his mettle Saqir the adventurer: a mysterious adventurer who’s so far proved trustworthy, though secretive Waleed the scholar: a young noble who’s left the comforts of palaces for the hard lessons of first-hand knowledge Ya’qub the merchant: a wealthy yet honest merchant who has a deep well of courage in the face of great danger
NPCs: Noora: “the nursemaid” claims that Keesha is the missing are of the wealthy merchant Batul al-Reehan Sahra: Ya’qub’s steadfast wife Eakon: Keesha’s familiar (hawk) Mamoun: Waleed’s young servant who’s proven his loyalty 1000 and 1 times Jaheira, Wudei’a, Najiba: Waleed’s as alluring as they are dangerous bodyguards Adila: cursed wanderer depending on our heroes
8th of Saris At the home of Batul al-Reehan al-Dihlizi --------------------------------------------------------------------------
The gates of the estate where thrown wide by two large mamluks and you hastened inside. Another guard, with similar facial tattoos and dark skin, stood to one side holding the straining leashes of three large greyhounds. The heavy gates swung closed with a clang and with a glance over your shoulder and around the starry sky above, you and the others walked briskly across the courtyard and into the arched entryway of a palatial home.
Standing in the doorway is a beautiful, mature woman. The oil lamps above illuminated her concerned face as she saw the blood staining Keesha and Saqir’s clothing. “Oh! Hurry inside please! Noora, what happened, what can I do to help?”
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Post by Gamemaster on Oct 4, 2006 8:26:58 GMT -7
"The gravest danger has passed, fair nabila Mabruk," Noora said, breathing a sigh of relief and leading Keesha to a low cushioned couch. "The poison of an assassin's arrow nearly prevented the reunion of master Batul with his daughter."
Lady Mabruk al-Hanash al-Reehan, wife of Batul, gasped. "The resemblance! You were right Noora, it could be my husband's lost child!"
"It is her," Noora countered, lovingly sweeping back a stray lock of Keesha’s hair. "Is'ad al-Reehan al-Dihlizi has returned."
With his wife embraced tightly to his chest, Keesha and Saqir's blood drying on her hands, Ya'qub recalled two events that rose unbidden to his mind. One as they first set sail so long ago:
...and another upon their arrival in this land.
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Post by Gamemaster on Oct 5, 2006 6:28:36 GMT -7
"My dearest husband will be here any moment now, Noora," Mabruk said. "Show our guests to washrooms and get them fresh clothing if they require it." With a slight bow, she excused herself from the entryway. "I must check on the cooks... my husband would never forgive me if this dinner was less than befitting such an occasion!"
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Post by Gamemaster on Oct 9, 2006 7:57:22 GMT -7
Noora helped Keesha stand and motioned everyone to follow them deeper into the home. As you leave the room, a harried-looking group of musicians were admitted and hastened off to another part of the palace, instruments and costumes in hand.
Family servants appear, assisting as permitted, and offering cool water and fresh grapes. Along the way to the guest quarters, Noora points out the various rooms and gardens. The décor is extravagant and marred only by elaborate security precautions.
“Ever since Is’ad’s kidnapping by slavers,” Noora explained as she eyed Keesha lovingly, “the family purchased mamluks and war dogs to keep the household safe. Clasping Keesha’s hand tightly within her own, Noora paused mid-step. “The kidnappers were never caught… Could they have been responsible for this evening’s ambush?” Noticing they had stopped near a second story window, she started suddenly and hastened Keesha forward.
Leaving each of you to private rooms with a handful of servants, Noora escorted Keesha toward the family’s harim. “Please be comfortable and should you want of anything, just ask and the servant’s will do their best to provide it. The master of the house should be here any moment…” she trailed off, leading Keesha out of sight.
Passing through a small chamber guarded by a mamluk and a greyhound, Noora and Keesha entered the harim. Noora pointed out the various chambers to Keesha: Master Batul’s, Lady Mabruks, Lady Liana’s…
Keesha paused, firmly resisting Noora prompting her past Lady Liana’s chamber. Translucent silks covered the chamber entryway, hanging still and forlornly. Inside Keesha heard faint weeping, and thought she saw a shadowy figure on a bed. “Who’s that,” she began to ask, reaching for the covering. Noora looked alarmed but made no move to stop her. “The chamber has remained untouched since your mother’s death,” Noora said, “some servants consider the room haunted. Korrite priests have been in this room several times since to exorcise any restless spirit, but still rumors persist. Perhaps it is the wind.”
Keesha pulled aside the curtain and peered inside. A bed covered in dusty blankets and pillows- no one in sight. Even the dust on the floor was undisturbed.
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Post by Gamemaster on Oct 10, 2006 7:40:27 GMT -7
You had barely time to clean up and change for the dinner when the greyhounds began to bray. Batul al-Reehan had arrived, leaning on his son Omar's arm for support. Keesha's resemblance to the famous merchant Batul is striking and you now understand why so many noticed it. Though his health was fading, his face retained its handsome lines and his eyes were bright with excitement.
Pulling away from his son, he embraced Keesha in his arms and welcomed her home repeatedly as tears flowed into his beard.
Batul's wife Mabruk stepped foward and embraced her son Omar, kissing him on both cheeks. "Such a joyous occasion!" she exclaimed. "Husband, you'll be pleased with my preparations for this joyous occasion. A feast is ready, musicians and dancers stand ready to entertain, our finest laid at the feet of our guests! Your chambers in the harim are freshly cleaned and ready, husband..."
The old man's smile faltered at this last, his surprised eyes taking in the thinly veiled promise in her's. Blushing he grinned like a teenager.
Omar stepped forward and embraced Keesha as everyone was being herded into the area prepared for the feast.
"Welcome home honored sister. I look forward to hearing of your life thus far and I would be glad to tell you all that you've missed here." He was several years younger than Keesha and would be considered handsome by some. He resembled his mother moreso than his father.
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Post by Ya'qub on Oct 10, 2006 17:14:19 GMT -7
As they take their places around the feast table, Ya'qub's easy, gap-toothed smile returns with a vengeance.
In a good natured way, he regales any who will listen with his tales of the far off, exotic lands he has seen and adventures he has had.
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Post by Waleed Ibn Alurah on Oct 11, 2006 1:22:56 GMT -7
Waleed politely smiled as he joined the feast. It had been some time that he had been to such a welcomed affair, but his smile did not reach his eyes. He, more than most gathered there today, knew the machinations of a devious mind. Omar would have to be watched, for Keesha was the older sibling and much would be due to her, and if Waleed knew anything, once you become accustomed to wealth, you are loath to give any of it up.
Turning to his personal entourage, he quirked an eyebrow to let the three girls know to keep on their toes, then awaited for them to feed him grapes and other foodstuffs. This, he enjoyed.
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Post by Gamemaster on Oct 11, 2006 8:30:32 GMT -7
The air of the huge banquet hall was filled with the delicate fragrance of white hyacinths; their bell-shaped petals decorating a marble fountain in the central area. It was common knowledge that hyacinths were associated with rebirth, but few knew why. You recall the Ellasian sailor aboard the Bright Dancer who told the myths of his country Ellas by the light of the stars to any who would listen. "Apollo did not allow Hades to claim the boy; rather, he made a flower, the hyacinth, from his spilled blood."
The family and yourselves as honored guests sat at the highest end of the gently sloping hall, permitting a view of all the activities. As tray after tray of culinary offerings where paraded before you, the floral scented air fled, routed by the competing smells of sharp spices, succulent meats and sweet breads.
Ya'qub's tales found no listener more eager than Omar.
"It rose from the sands and carried off a camel?" Omar repeated, wide eyed and excited. He impatiently shooed away a servant's offered helping of sliced mutton. "Had I but been there! I would have ridden the beast alongside the mighty mamluk Lum! Together we could slay a thousand such beasts!"
"Oh my dearest son," Mabruk said, laying a hand on his arm as he started to rise and made as if to draw and imaginary scimitar. "Your place is here with me. There are adventures enough in your books; no need to go and seek them out."
Omar reddened, cleared his throat and sat down. His eyes returned from distant sands and settled on the musicians gathered below, preparing for their next song. This turned out to be a popular tune- if a bit risqué. Sure enough, a company of veiled dancers swept into the hall, spinning seductively like desert whirlwinds.
Mabruk appeared pleased with her husband's response and Batul in turn appeared delighted with his wife’s efforts.
As the evening deepened into night, Keesha acquiesced to Batul's request of recounting her life up to this point. How much she withheld only she would know; the hardships of an orphan on the streets where such that few could imagine. Still, her tale did much to explain her steadfastness in the face of danger.
Batul told of his business and how it prospered in the last decade, though his heart was hardly in it. "In fact, I fear my heart has weakened beyond repair, though your return has given me much joy, my daughter." He stood with a grimace and a helping hand from his wife. Raising his cup, the hall fell quiet in anticipation. "Tomorrow, in the palace of Emira Hassana Alim al-Gaib, you are all invited to attend the recognition ceremony of my legal heir!"
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Post by Waleed Ibn Alurah on Oct 11, 2006 9:23:09 GMT -7
Waleed carefully watched Omar's reaction when the news was announced about tomorrow's ceremony to recognize Keesha as the official heir.
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Post by Gamemaster on Oct 11, 2006 10:30:50 GMT -7
Waleed carefully watched Omar's reaction when the news was announced about tomorrow's ceremony to recognize Keesha as the official heir. Omar leapt up and cheered excitedly, eliciting a momentary disapproving glance from his mother as the young man hastened over to embrace his bewildered sister. Mabruk stood with more decorum and joined in the applause.
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Post by Waleed Ibn Alurah on Oct 11, 2006 15:33:53 GMT -7
Omar leapt up and cheered excitedly, eliciting a momentary disapproving glance from his mother as the young man hastened over to embrace his bewildered sister. Mabruk stood with more decorum and joined in the applause. Omar had to be either a simpleton, Waleed thought to himself, a madman, or the worlds most cunning, devious and skilled actor/assassin he had ever met. Back home, such an announcement was akin to a death sentence to the receiptient lest they take extraordinary precautions to survive the night. Hence, one reason why Waleed was glad he was never acknowledged openly. Waleed clapped merrily, he too knew when to act appropriately in such cases. The sly smile came to this face as he thought that Keesha was probably going to require a husband shortly, and it seemed her family was quite wealthy, but alas, he never found himself attracted to the woman and he felt he had wealth enough. Besides, she had a face like a frying pan and smelled awful at times.
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Post by Waleed Ibn Alurah on Oct 11, 2006 15:40:05 GMT -7
A strange notion occurred to Waleed. Batul would die tonight due to the machinations of his wife Mabruk, then Omar, through no effort on his part, would be named heir because Keesha had yet to be formally recognized. He could see the love Mabruk had for her son over that of Keesha and why shouldn't she? Omar seemed genuinely... genuine. Keesha was like a warm bottle of ale, half empty lying in a ditch with a slug in it. Tonight would be interesting.
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Post by Ya'qub on Jan 9, 2007 13:51:58 GMT -7
That evening, the meal weighed heavy on Ya'qub's stomach. He found himself unable to sleep his accustomed deep sleep of a contented man. Stealthily rising from his bed so as not to disturb his devoted wife, Sahra, the gap-toothed Merchant begins to wander the halls of their host's home.
Down the darkened corridor, he saw a shadow moving quickly, yet carefully. As he watched, he realized it to be Waleed. Ya'qub resolved to accompany his companion on his midnight mission. "Waleed!" he called in a loud whisper, to get his attention. "Wait! I will come with you!"
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Post by Waleed Ibn Alurah on Jan 10, 2007 19:35:20 GMT -7
Waleed placed his finger over his mouth and made the "shh" sound when Ya'qub called out to him then smiled. The gap-toothed merchant was many things, but stealthy was not one of them. Motioning for him, Mamoun and his bodyguards to move out, Waleed lead the way to the exterior and on their way to the ministry of secrets. That evening, the meal weighed heavy on Ya'qub's stomach. He found himself unable to sleep his accustomed deep sleep of a contented man. Stealthily rising from his bed so as not to disturb his devoted wife, Sahra, the gap-toothed Merchant begins to wander the halls of their host's home. Down the darkened corridor, he saw a shadow moving quickly, yet carefully. As he watched, he realized it to be Waleed. Ya'qub resolved to accompany his companion on his midnight mission. "Waleed!" he called in a loud whisper, to get his attention. "Wait! I will come with you!"
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 26, 2007 14:30:05 GMT -7
Saqir stood leaning against the door frame of his room watching Waleed and Ya’qub disappear down the marble corridors. When they were gone he turned his attention back toward where Keesha stood staring through the translucent silks into the chamber where her mother had died. He strained to hear what she heard, but nothing but a faint night breeze reached his ears. In the room behind him, Maher turned in a restless sleep.
Though he had seldom spoken to the aloof sorceress, he was drawn to her; a kindred spirit in loneliness he fancied to himself with a sardonic smile. Pushing off from the wall he padded quietly toward her. If she noticed, she made no sign. Saqir brazenly peered into the room, and seeing nothing began to turn back when a faint sound stopped him. It wasn’t from the chamber and Keesha’s distant stare was unchanged. Sliding past her he made his way down the hall and silently slipped into Keesha’s room. Inside, thin curtains fluttered inward on the slightest breeze and revealed the moonlit city beyond. Below he could hear the lapping of running water against the stone walls —one of the city’s many waterways. The night air was rich with the odors of the jungle and Saqir breathed deep the scent of earthy, wet vegetation. The sound repeated—wood on stone, boat hull against the wall. Saqir was reaching for his weapon when a dark figure leapt lightly through, eyes gleaming from behind a mask of mud. In a flash Saqir and the lithe figure were locked in a grim struggle, wrestling for control of an assassin’s black dagger.
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Keesha listened to her mother’s falling tears… ‘someone’s mother weeping anyway’, she thought. Regardless she was overwhelmed with powerful emotions. Her childhood had been a brief unpleasant time where survival left little time for wondering if somewhere her mother wept for her. Whether the apparition on the bed was her mother or not, she knew the truth: she was not discarded, not a castoff. Someone had cared for her deeply and mourned her absence. Before turning in for the night she pulled back the curtains again, and again the apparition faded away.
Walking into her room, she crossed over to the window and called out to Eakon. With a cry he leapt from a minaret and into the sky. Through his eyes she surveyed the city of Dihliz and her thoughts turned toward the home and the family she never knew she had.
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