The 24th Scroll: Desert Debate

[Gamemaster]

"It is simply a choice between a peril which is known and one which is not." Amir al-Ahmar shrugged. "Ya'qub seems to think the journey north around the mountains is a safer route than through the pass we just fled. And while I respect his skill as a caravaneer, as a man who's home is the desert, I have also learned to heed the warning of travelers. I am not eager to put us any closer to the cities of Quabah and Hulm. Besides the warning of Shuíahm and his son, there are also enough stories among the al-Badia to make me wary of those places."
"On the other hand," he continues, surprised to still have the ears of his companions, "I believe we have little to fear from the serpent if we attempt the pass by day. If you remember, the peril we faced was directed at that strange sprit Chanati, and not us. Perhaps the inhabitants of the temple have already claimed what they want. I also see know reason why we also simply cannot ride around the temple rather than march straight up to its door."
Seeing the doubt and concern among the rest of the caravan, Amir al-Ahmar makes one last attempt to stem the storm of tongues which will surely assail him.
"But it is clear no one of us alone can make so important a decision alone." he says. "Since we must camp tonight at any rate, let us all share what we know of these places: Quabah, Hulm and the mysterious temple of the serpent."
Yes, wise decision Amir." Waleed said with a smile and very glad the desert rider wasn't angry with them all and seeking to change their minds by lopping off their heads. Waleed's extended stay with his previous hosts, the Son of Wolfs, had left him very respectful of the explosive temperament of the desert nomads and their ilk. He had seen such uncivilized behavior it had made his man-servant, who was always at his side, to weep in fear. In fact Waleed had never seen a man quartered or beheaded until his stay with the Son of Wolfs and it clearly changed his outlook on life.
Fate was indeed kind to have somehow frightened the Son of Wolf nomads into leaving the area and Waleed behind instead of attacking and killing this present hosts as they have done in the past to other desert travelers. Yes, kind indeed, but Waleed knew some other force was present, yes indeed. His hand unconsciously rubbed the empty pocket of his pants where the small carving had been and he was saddened to think it had been lost or in the hands of some unenlightened nomad. He would have to rectify that situation.
"Mamoun! Where are yo... ahg!" Slightly startled as Mamoun was standing just behind him and to the left, ever silent, always hovering. "Mamoun, how many times... oh never mind, see to my gear, make sure everything is still there. Now!" It didn't matter that Waleed had all the gear he owned on his person as he had lost everything with the nomads, but he needed some semblance of familiarity and Mamoun was it.
Wearied by all the sudden appearances and still a little nervous by the influx of unfamiliar faces, Ya'qub speaks up. "I agree. Let us camp here. Amir Al-Ahmar may well have a point regarding going around the temple during the day. We should sleep on it. In the meantime, one of our new companions has asked about Lum's possessions. I have told him that the caravan should distribute the items as it sees fit, no one person directing the action. How should these items be disposed of?"
Keesha closes her book softly, hearing Amir point.. "Not a bad idea indeed..." and then changes into a more serious tone of voice.... " not that it would be good news but that place back there is cursed.. According to some of the details I was able to catch up when leaving it has a strong resemblance to an old legend"

[Gamemaster]

Then she accomodates her hair as she breathes softly, and lowers her voice making sure to catch everyones attention..
"According to legend, an old king was tricked into behaving a powerfull priest who cured him by his vizirs.. there were afraid of his power..
He cured a sultan whose name has faded from recorded history, of a disfiguring disease. A feat none of the sultan's wisest men had been able to do.
Jealous of Sahran Eyab's new favor in the sultan's eyes, the vizirs plotted his destruction by foul whisperings in the sultan's ears.
""If he has the power to heal you so easily, than he can kill you with but an idle touch...""
""Surely such a dangerous man cannot be allowed to live...""
Foolishly believing his advisors, the sultan ordered Sahran Eyab beheaded.
Despite his pleas for mercy, the sultan was unmoved. Seeing this, Sahran Eyab asked for time to prepare his estate, promising to show the sultan a marvel that he would remember for all the days of his life.
""I will give you a scroll that when read, will allow you to ask three questions of my head. The wisdom of generations will be yours...""
This was done, for the sultan was as curious as he was foolish and upon the appointed hour, Sahran Eyab was beheaded and his head placed on a silver platter before the sultan.
Taking the scroll in hand, the sultan began reading, upon which Sahran Eyab's eyes opened. The sultan was truly amazed and continued reading the lengthy scroll.
When he finished he rubbed his hands gleefully together and was about to ask his questions when Sahran Eyab's head began to laugh and roll about the tray.
""Fool! As you showed me no mercy and repaid my kindness with death, I have shown you none. Even now my foulest poison has passed from the scroll to your fingers and will soon grip your heart!""
He spoke true for as his words died away, the sultan cried out in pain and died a horrible death.
During the confusion, Sahran Eyab's followers carried off their high priest's head and body, hiding him away in a secret temple.
Legends say he lies to this day in his tomb, guarded by his followers and servants.
Silently, she awaits for the reaction of her companions to the information....
Ya'qub half turns to Keesha. "It could be as you have said, but why should this tale concern this temple beast? I believe that the issue remains the threat we do know - at the temple, versus one we do not know - the concerns regarding the northern cities. There has been much activity thus far this night. Let us camp, rest our wearied minds, and come to a consensus in the morning."
"Hmm, interesting. We should definitely go around, yes, definitely." Waleed said and then continued. "However, while I was with the nomads I heard that Hulm had been razed by Ahz'ahk's hand. Who this Ahz'ahk is, I do not know."
Suddenly Amir al-Ahmar was on his feet, his twin scimitars drawn. At first Waleed thought the desert rider must be defending himself from a new foe which had descended upon them during Keesha's tale. Then he looked into his eyes, a memory which would haunt his nighmares forever. An inhuman hate burned in the al-Badia's eyes so fiercely that Waleed almost feared it alone would consume him. He would swear, years later, that they actually smoldered red like the angry coals of campfire. Then a brief flicker in his gaze made Waleed realize that whatever passion had been awakened in Amir al-Ahmar was not directed at him.

[Gamemaster]

"I will ride to Hulm." the desert rider says suddenly sheathing his blades. "Alone if need be. Decide yourselves which path you will take."
"If you value your immortal soul," he adds his gaze boring deeper into Waleed. "Never speak that name again. There are other ears in the desert besides those of men and beasts."
Then, suddenly, his scarlet robes billowing behind him, Amir al-Ahmar storms off into the desert night.
Waleed could only sit there, nonplussed, after Amir's threat. Typical desert nomad behavior Waleed thought to himself, he had become accustomed to it during his recent stay with the Son of Wolf's, but still, it was... uncivilized. Waleed did not pursue the matter, if Amir chose not to share this information with the rest of his companions about Ahz'ahk, it was his choice, as it seemed he was not one to practice what he preached, 'But it is clear no one of us alone can make so important a decision alone.' uttered from Amir's lips rang very hollow, very hollow indeed.
As Eakon flies away, she casts a spell on him, making sure she will be awaked if he is perturbed by any approaching sight, a spell she knew from a long time before for more unlawful means but which he never had to use in the dessert for such noble purposes.
Silk is frazzled by all that has happened in the last few days. He is sure however that there is safety in numbers within the sands. "
I will take my turn at the watch...I’m a bit shocked and couldn’t sleep right now anyway... to much on my mind to sleep." That said Silk begins to draw a stone and a drop of oil along the edge of his scimitar and looking out into the desert night alone with his thoughts and the wind.
'Very well then..' Keesha says, and then heads into one of the tents, reflecting on the events of the day and trying to catch up some sleep.

After Amir's outburst, when all is quiet later on, and others begin to settle into their tents for some much needed rest, Ya'qub locates Amir Al-Ahmar and quietly requests a private conversation.
"Excellent Amir," he begins, "I have no wish to question your ability in this, but I fear I still don't understand. I know you to be a courageous warrior, I have seen it first hand. Waleed, whom I'm still not certain I myself trust (after all, he could be a spy planted by the nomads...), mentioned a name that seemed to agitate you greatly. I dare not speak the name lest I become the focus for your wrath.
I could be your ally, humble though I may be, in this decision, but I would like to know more. Are these cities truly more fearsome than the serpent-thing? What is it that concerns you about him-whom-I-will-not-name?" "As long as you are puttting a good guard I am all for resting" Keesha then turns to her hawk "Go up for the night, and remember to shout if you hear anything approaching"
As Ya'qub slowly makes his way to his tent that evening, anyone who sees him notices the troubled expression on his brow.
Silently, he enters his tent and closes it off from the rest of the world.