The 25th Scroll: Morning Has Broken

[Gamemaster]

The night passed with only nightmares interrupting a peaceful sleep. Old Rajab arose and after relieving himself pulled a dry dung cake from his pack and lit a small fire. When the others awoke, it was to the smell of strong coffee carried by a brisk morning breeze.
Keesha wakes up and comes out, happy at the sight and smell of some fresh coffee.
"Thanks for the worries" she adds, as she grabs a cup. Then she looks to see who is up already..
Old Rajab flashed a sincere 6-toothed grin. "You are welcome young lady." He stirred the embers with a stick. "My coffee is not fit for polishing a beggar's boots but..."
"Don't listen to the old goat," laughed Maarouf, "his coffee isn't that bad. I'm no beggar and I find it puts a very nice shine on my boots!"
Rajab hurled a camel turd at Maarouf. "Tend to the camels and leave the morning meal to me!"
"You make a mean cup of coffee Rajab, yes, yes." Waleed said with a weary smile. "So," as he saw the others gathering about the fire, "onward to Hulm I take it? Since no one here wants to take the pass?" Waleed took another sip of coffee and let the experience soak in.
"So.. what do you know about those cities around us?” Keesha asks. “Have we settled into which way to go then?"
"Calling the sand-choaked villages of the High Desert, 'cities' gives them too much credit, my lovely desert flower, " said Khafaz ibn Dahz as he emerged from his tent. He must have awakened earlier for he was washed and smelled of perfumed soap.
He took the offerred cup from Old Rajab. "Now Tajar..." Khafaz said, taking a sip and looking intently at Keesha. "there is a city. A city in which this humble Chief Administer of Zakhara's most renowned business man and philanthropists Fahad al-Zakir, would like to give you a personal tour."
Waleed couldn't help but guffaw a little at the mention of Tajar and smiled, "I mean no offense, but truly, Tajar is not as splendid as Hiyal with it's spiral towers and exotic pleasures to captivate all the senses of it's citizens. Yes, my home is indeed one if not the fairest city of the land."
A look of annoyance flashed across Khafaz's bearded face, but he didn't take his eyes from Keesha. He stroked his carefully trimmed and polished beard.
"Young Waleed has undoubtedly traveled the world round 21 times," Khafaz said.
"Yes, lovely desert you have here." Waleed replied and motioned with a large sweep of his arm.
Khafaz continued. "Where was I... oh yes. Let me extend an open invitation to you, Keesha. Should you find yourself in Tajar I would be honored to have you as my guest." He bowed and with a raised eyebrow and lowered voice said, "You would not soon forget it."
Smiles at Khafaz ... "your tour offer is certainly welcomed.. but lets see to get out of this place first... in any case, lets not get a competition started on who got the nicest city ok? " then she winks an eye to Waleed.
Waleed winked back with a smile
"By the wway, before getting to sleep I remembered something more about that legend... it is said that the priest was buried with his treasure as well... whether it is a good idea or not to get in I cant say, but I for once would be willing to get some extra change"

[Gamemaster]

Sipping her coffee she looks at Amir, remembering last days reaction
"So you propose Hulm then? .. do you know something about that place"
Waleed waited, anticipated the blood veins in Amir's forehead to grow to such epic proportions that they would burst and spray blood over the entire group, but that was unlikely to happen. A small grin alighted Waleed's youthful face as he remembered his mother scolding him for telling such exaggerated tales of common occurances around the palace. It had helped stave off the endless drudgery of having to be reserved and stoic all the time. If it hadn't been for Mamoun, Waleed would have probably ended up like the rest of his family, friendless.
Those keen-eyed amongst you notice a riderless camel approaching from the desert.
Your camels did not make much noise and it appears to be packed in the style of the bedine.
"A riderless camel appoaches," Amir al-Ahmar anounces simply. "I would suspect he has been drawn by the light of your campfire or Rajab's coffee."
Amir Jameel looked up from his morning coffee in surprise. With a whistle the camel hasted over to him. Fate had indeed smiled upon him for not only had his camel found him in this trackless desert, but it brought with it his gear.
As more people awakened, they greeted the newcomer, noting his facial tattoos.
"I am Amir, and I thank you for giving me a place to warm my bones from the chill of the desert night," he calls. "and from the smell of it, that coffee may just be fit for camels." Followed by a long and deep laugh.
Waleed looked about, one, two, now three strangers, not including himself, had come to this group since last night. "Very strange this..." Was all Waleed said. He awaited Ya'qub or the other "Amir" to invite or refuse the newcomer. Thinking about it, he thought it very funny that these two Amir's, yes, "Princes" had come here to this place, this time. Waleed doubted either was a prince, heh, he figured he was the only real prince here with credentials to boot, and he didn't go about calling himself "Amir". Funny, yes indeed, Waleed thought to himself as he chuckled into his coffee.
Continuing to await the others answers, Waleed began humming a tune to himself:

Take my love, take my land
Take me where I cannot stand
I don't care, I'm still free
You can't take the sky from me

Take me out to the black
Tell them I ain't comin' back
Burn the land and boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me

There's no place I can be
Since I found serenity
But you can't take the sky from me

Silk felt a bit better, he rested and after a bit of offered coffee..it was indeed fit for a camel.. he seemed more like himself. " I find we are in new company since even last night. I am Silk.. bowing a bit.. I have just entered this group and cannot tell you of them. I can tell you that the ruin close to hear almost cost us our life. We found .. the path better away from there ...seemed to be a bit more healthy than with the serpents.
At the smell of the coffee and Waleed's humming outside his tent, Ya'qub flings back the curtain and blinks in the sunshine.

[Gamemaster]

Suddenly he is aware of a new presence in the camp. He looks over the newcomer anxiously seeking any sign that he might have been one of the Sons of the Wolf nomads.
"This must be a small desert indeed for us to have encountered so many strangers at once!" he says to himself. Mentally he begins calculating how many of the caravan's supplies these newcomers will consume, especially those who have been "rescued" or "escaped" with nothing much to speak of save the clothes on their backs.
Remembering the law of hospitality, Ya'qub bows, wondering where Khafaz is ("He really should be doing this!" he fumes). "I am Ya'qub, humble caravaneer in the employ of Fahad of Zakahra. You are most welcome in our camp this fine morning. " Since he wasn't "out and about" when the gentleman entered camp, Ya'qub hopes he will share his name again, and perhaps his purpose for being in the same desert with the caravan...
Out of the brightening desert Amir al-Ahmar strides slowly into camp, the look in his eyes betraying a sleepless evening.
Rajab smiles knowing that though Amir would decline his coffee now, later he will ask if there is any left and take it away to be enjoyed in the solitude of his tent.
Amir al-Ahmar walks directly up to Waleed and looks straight into his eyes. His gaze has none of the anger Waleed faced last night nor is there even a challenge in them. He had seen warriors among the Sons of the Wolf greet each other with such a look.
"I ask your forgiveness, Waleed Ibn Alurah." he says with unusual humility in his voice. "The wrath you woke within me last night was not directed at you, but at the name you spoke, a name which I beseech you never to utter again."
The desert rider lays a hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps you suffered at the hands of the Sons of the Wolf," he says. "But I promise not all al-Badia shall treat you so."
Waleed thought about it a moment and instead making a big matter of it, he kindly took Amir's hand, shook it and said his thanks.
"You would put the bravery of many men I know to shame." Amir al Ahmar says, regarding the sorceress with some respect. "Either that or you are more foolish than any of them. I was not proposing that we explore the temple, but rather avoid it altogether. Perhaps there is something more you about that place?"
"Of Hulm, I know very little." he replies with surprising calm. "But of it's fate, I am all too familiar. If what Waleed has heard is true, a powerful efreet lord whose name I am loathe to speak has wreaked some terrible vengence upon it's people."
"I spoke hastily and disloyaly last night." the desert-rider continues. "I have pledged my service to Fahad al-Zakir of Tajar, and I will fulfill his request before I travel to Hulm and seek vengence against this creature."
He pauses to collect himself. "Now more than ever the route through the pass makes most sense." he announces surprisingly. "Since we began, we have increased our numbers by four. We no longer have enough water for a journey around the mountains. Either a few of us must journey to the oasis and fill our minuns or we all travel together, refresh ourselves, and strike through for Vahtov."
Keesha smiles at Amir al-Ahmar’s comment "Unfortunately nope, but believe me I am not so eager to get to know more about that place either. If we find safe passage through, all the more welcomed"
"Lets gets going then?", then she whistles calling Eakon to her
Ya'qub finishes his mental calculations. "Amir al-Ahmar is correct. We will need water if we are to continue, not just for ourselves, but also for the camels. I believe we must make the trip past the Temple, as loathe as I am to be near that place again. Indeed, there are pressing matters in Hulm which will require our attention."

[Gamemaster]

"I am in agreement with Amir al-Ahmar," Khafaz said. "We take the shortest route to Vahtov. The spirits of the temple are surely resting while the sun is in the sky."
Funny how everything thing had turned about face after a night's sleep, even going through the temple pass didn't seem so implausible now.
Waleed spied the small container of salt and even though this was not a home per se, the caravan was a home on legs and it's master was Ya'qub by all accounts. Having noted his suspicious nature, Waleed hoped to assuage it for at least the next three days. Taking a pinch of salt and putting it in his coffee and drinking it, Waleed partook of the Bond of Salt of his host and then passed the salt around the group hoping all would join in the ceremony.
Noticing that Keesha whispers to Amir-al Ahmar .."...whats the deal with the salt?"
"Surely you must know the bond of salt!" Amir al-Ahmar says, his eyes widening. "Is it possible we have an ajami among us? When I told you we were riding to Vahtov," Amir al-Ahmar says to Keesha as he is securing his horse's packs. "You said you did not realize you were so far from home. Where do you come from?"
"I cannot partake of this bond, Waleed." Amir al-Ahmar says passing the container of salt. "For I am forbidden to reveal my face among strangers, and thus, cannot eat among you. But I will honor any bond you have made with our gracious host." He says this last bowing with playful mockery to Ya'qub.
Ya'qub watched with humor dancing in his eyes as the saltcellar was passed around the members of the encampment. He deliberately positioned himself so as to be last, seeing as many were deferring to him as the "master of the caravan."
"Well done, Waleed!" he exclaimed with not a little glee. You have taken the first step toward redeeming yourself in my eyes. However, at the end of the three days, we shall see where we all stand with each other..."
When the cellar finally made its way to him he completed the ceremonial bond.
Waleed only smiled, but didn't understand what he had done to garner Ya'qub's ire. Was it all about this "Lum" individual he had brought up. Waleed was only asking what was to be done, if he had wanted to steal from Ya'qub he surely wouldn't have asked about the items.
It was a strange group, yes indeed, with Amir's refusal to take the Bond of Salt he was now suspect. Waleed remembered the tale of Ali Baba and how his guest, who meant to murder him, made all manner of excuse to not take the Bond of Salt. Deeds not Words. Yes, interesting times.
Some of you may notice him observing the merchant closely and any who seem to be too pious may also draw some unwanted attention.
At the sight of his camel he exclaims, "Aaah, the Gods are indeed smiling on me. After all, I am the prince of this desert why would my trusted malikeea not find me?"
He approaches her and checks her load to ensure nothing is missing before unloading her and letting her make some friends in the herd.
"Ya, Amir, (the other one)--where is it you travel? It seems someone would like me to go along (glancing up at the sky)."
"You have chosen quite a wide domain as your kingdom, Amir." Amir al-Ahmar says sizing up this new traveller. "Who am I to dispute your sovereignty?" he adds with a light and mocking tone. "Surely there cannot be two princes among us. In truth I have grown tired of my name of late. From this moment forth I wish to be called simply, Ahmar."

[Gamemaster]

I am reluctant to partake of the "bond of salt" as we have all just met. But, so as not to be a bad guest and not to offend whichever god sent him here--He eventually takes the salt and thanks his host
You all notice distinct facial tattoos over his eyes and down the side of his face with a crescent moon in the center of his forehead.
Smiles as she grabs the cup of salted tea and sips a bit slowly remembering most of the "un-enlightened" are still quite superstitious... "to us then.." as she smiles graciously and gets ready to go
Silk watched and remembered his manners. and along with the passed, salt he offered the others a loaf of travel bread he retrieved from his supplies. "I would like to add that IF we went back to the temple... my former companions had water and other supplies...Im not sure if it is worth there retrieval.. I just mention it for our survival. I’m not really sure what happened to us..I am sure we were supplied." Silk listens to the others and hopes they can get away from the foul temple soon.. very soon indeed.
"I don't believe that Amir al ahmar is proposing that we go through the temple, only *around* it. It would do us well to return to the oasis outside the temple fill our containers with as much water as we can carry, and make our way through the pass, but not necessarily through the temple."
"With guests appearing from the desert floor -" he says gesturing to Waleed, "- and from the sky -" with a wave toward Amir Rasheed, " - I believe that the shortest route to our destination would be best. That route is through the pass."
He looks around good-naturedly, with his usual, broad, gap-toothed smile on his face, inviting other comments.
Looks around, growing a bit impatient. "Through the pass, through the temple or whatsoever.. but please lets get moving!" Then she throws out some sand from her hair, noticeably unaccustomed to the desert "Lets just pray we get to a city soon!"... then she straps her backpack and starts moving forward, tending to Eakon's head.
"We ride to Vahtov," Ahmar continues indicating the way before them. "Straight through the pass."
Ahmar looks at the desert prince's camel and gear with some interest. "You carry a fine bow," he says regarding the weapon bound to the saddle. "I have seen it's kind before. Tell, me who are your people?"
"Ah Ahmar, yes I have. In the desert, every man can be a prince. By her manner, the young lady there does not like the desert, but the desert can take care of us all.
As to my origins, of late I have been of the Sons of the Lion---near Wadi Ajmal. There you will find the most beautiful woman in all the desert--Sameera is her name. Her eyes light up my soul like a full moon and I plan to marry her once I become rich enough to impress her father.
As to our route---the desert can provide all we need, although with so many it would be difficult. I will go with you if you need another sword. Although, cities are like lizards, fine if you are hungry enough.
Now, you know about me---where did you get your fine bow.”
"Clearly you are enamored of the desert," Ahmar laughs. "But if you were born of it, then I am the son of a camel! You are not arrogant enough to be one of Najib bin Kamal al-Asad's men."
"As for this," he says holding his bow of red wood aloft. "It belonged to he who first taught me its use. Long has it been since his passing."
Ya'qub watches, laughing to himself at the impatience of the young girl.
He looks over to Shara and the other laborers who have been packing up the caravan, then back at the rest of the party. "Are we agreed then? To the Oasis and then through the pass? If so, then when the caravan is laoded, we shall be off!"
"The girl is right," Ahmar laughs with strange mirth. "We waste too much time here in idle chat. To Vahtov then, and civilization!" With a disconcerting yelp of frenzied joy he spurs his steed forward towards the pass.
"Yes, yes, through the pass we go! Mamoun! We ride!" Waleed almost seemed happy to get moving even though he thought the pass was dangerous, it was it or the razed city of Hulm, neither sounded good, but the former was quicker and they knew what to expect there.
"Hopefully the oasis water isn't poisoned!" Waleed said with a chuckle.
"And they call me the grim one!" Ahmar laughs.
Waleed joined Ahmar in his laughter, it helped break the tension of the possible horror to come.
"Ya, lazy servants---away from my camel. Malikeea is particular and she has guided me across more miles of desert than you could ever imagine. I will pack her---she deserves the best.