The 28th Scroll: Vahtov

[Gamemaster]

Interlude

Walking home from her lessons, Jamilia asked her uncle about death.

"An odd question from one so young," said the elder.

"Mother says Grandfather's fever is worsening, and he will probably die," Jamilia said, matter-of-factly. "I want to know what will happen to him."

"I respect your forthrightness," said Husar. "You deserve a forthright response. Listen: Interment customs vary from culture to culture. We follow the traditions of our ancestors, us do many in Tajar."

"The departed is first bathed, dressed in fresh linen, then buried to a depth of least four feet. A woman always prepares the body of a woman. A man always prepares the body of man.

"The spouse of the deceased remains at home to mourn for three months. If the surviving spouse is a woman, she may only see another woman, designated by the family, who brings her food, water, and news. If the surviving spouse is a man, a man handles these duties."

"And what if the spouse leaves home?" asked Jamilia.
"Then woe to the spirit of the deceased! It spends the first three months in the afterlife locked in iron chains. It is released only after the spouse pays the proper respects."

"And the afterlife? What is that like?"

"Many wise men believe it to be a land where the sun always shines and the air is always cool. Water flows in abundance. There is no disease, no hunger, no sadness."

"It sounds like a wonderful place," marveled Jamilia.

"Indeed it does," agreed Husar. "But wise men can be wrong."

[Gamemaster]

Late afternoon, 5th of Dar

Fate smiled upon the travellers and the remainder of the day was uneventful. The camels, perhaps sensing the completion of the journey, lengthened their swaying strides and by late that afternoon the party arrived at the small desert city of Vahtov.
On the outskirts of Vahtov, two females wearing green wristbands struggled to maneuver a herd of goats into a wooden pen.
Sahra and Maarouf offered to help. The women thanked them but insisted they had the goats under control. "Have you any goats?" asked one of the women.
Before anyone could do more than shake their head negatively: "If you do, keep them out of Vahtov." The women resumed rounding up the goats and wouldn't answer any questions.
"Speak with Akidya," they'd suggested, "in the sunflower garden, in the center of the village."
Past crumbing stone buildings, down filthy streets littered with spoiled food and soiled rags, the party arrived at the center of the village, a spacious garden of sunflowers enclosed by a rickety wooden fence. A dozen villagers squatted in the garden, plucking black insects from the sunflowers and tossing them into rusty buckets. Near a towering stone wall--the remains of a once impressive building--stood two men and one woman. They each wore green wristbands; the woman also wore a khazama, a small silver nose ring with a turquoise setting. Beside them stood a strange wiry figure wearing nothing more than a loincloth. If it was human then surely it was cursed by fate, for it had wide eyes, large even for its large head, a flowing blond mane, and six-fingered hands ending in talonlike claws. Bracelets and rings of all sizes and types covered the creature's arms and fingers.
The four swept insects from the wall and dropped them into buckets. The woman with the khazama, who appeared to be supervising, pointed to an insect near the top of the wall, about 20 feet up. The strange wiry figure instantly shapechanged into a 6-inch-long gecko. The gecko clambered up the wall, slurpped up the insect with its tongue, then returned to the ground, where it turned back into a humanoid.
Noticing the party, the humanoid pointed out the party to the woman. She ambled over to introduce herself. "Welcome to Vahtov," she said, friendly but guarded. "I am Akidya, the administrator." She pointed to the strange man. "My assistant, Ku." Ku nodded and continued to pluck insects.
"Are you passing through?" asked Akidya. "Or have you come to help with the harvest? We have been infested by black surra flies. They bite goats and make them sick. They are also quite tasty." She popped a surra fly into her mouth.

[Gamemaster]

"Oh my." Waleed squeak out. He could feel the bile rise in his throat, the acrid taste soon to come and he did all he could to keep it down. His eyes shut and averted, his mind on happy thoughts, he somehow managed to keep himself from vomiting in the presence of the strangers. Right then and there he had decided he was going to Fast while they stayed in Vahtov, if they stayed, so as in the case if hospitality was given or asked, he could deny eating the food of his hosts.
The myriad of types of food he envisioned as he thought of this was dancing across his strained eyes as he attempted to regain control of his senses... flies on a cheese log; Koumiss with flies salted on the edge of the glass; steak tartar with fly seasoning; candied flies in honey. Oh the horror...
Ya'qub eyed the woman with amusement. "We are here as merchants traveling from afar. Allow me to introduce the noble Khafaz, able representative of my employer." With that, he sweeps his hand in the direction of Fahad's administrator, ensuring that he would be no longer showing any unwanted attention to Sahra, at least for the time being.
"Well said," Ahmar mutters to Ya'qub. "The sooner we fulfill our task the sooner we can leave." He casts a wary eye on the man-creature Akidya calls Ku.
"I am Khafaz ibn Dahz," Khafaz said, goading his camel forward. He was doing a poor job of hiding his distaste for his surroundings. "Chief administrator of the generous and wise Fahad al-Zakir." He paused for effect. He was disappointed with the lack of one. "Ahem. Well, we come in Fahad's behalf in search of a woman named Sita. She would be 80 years old by now..."
A look of mild surprise crossed Akidya's face, to be quickly replaced by one of suspicion.
"...and she has a birthmark resembling a tiny crescent moon on her nose."
"What gives you the idea she would be here in Vahtov?" Akidya asked.
"Fahad asked Ala'i the Hungry," Khafaz said.
"I know no man of that name in Vahtov," Akidya said. "But he would have been correct... ten years ago. I am sad to say she died of a fever plague that swept through the village. Its a pity; she was a skilled teacher of reading. And popular with the children."
"Ala'i is no man," said Turin as he rode up beside Khafaz. "its a carpet... ow!" He winced from Khafaz's trademark smack upside the head.
"My son of dog's water assistant speaks the truth from his fool mouth," Khafaz said, scowling at the interruption. "Ala'i is no man, but an all-knowing spirit that resides in a carpet most magical. Not only does Ala'i the Hungry tell us Sita is here, he says she's still alive."

[Gamemaster]

Clearly annoyed, she had the look of one not accustomed to being contradicted, Akidya replied, "Your carpet most magical is most wrong I assure you. Sita is buried in the Vahtov crypt."
"Now," she said with a tone of finality, "as much as I have enjoyed our talk, I am afraid there is much work to do. Enjoy your visit to Vahtov." She turned her back on the travelers and resumed harvesting insects.
Her companions followed her example, returning to their task. Once, Akidya's assistant Ku glaced over his shoulder, looking as if he had something to say but changed his mind and returned to work.
"Fate is indeed cruel," Ahmar says shaking his head in feigned sorrow. "For we have travelled far to offer her a gift which would have brought her great peace for the rest of her days." He gives Akidya's assistant a meaningful look. "If you will tell us where she lies, we will pay our respects and trouble you no more."
Allowing a sorrowful expression to fall hard across his face, Ya'qub speaks up. "It is a sad day indeed for our employer. We would ask only that we may visit her grave in order to pay our deepest respects to her memory on his behalf."
With an exasperated sigh, Akidya turned, arms akimbo. "Any of Vahtov's citizen's could direct you to the cemetery, should they have the time and desire, maybe event point out the crypt... but it is forbidden to disturb the dead. You'll need to content yourselves with giving your respects from outside the crypt."
"A hundred thousand pardons, mother!" Ya'qub feigns embarrassment. "We had no thought to open the crypt. It has been a long journey for us, and we would like to honor her memory on behalf of our employer."
"Ya, Silk, what is that thing?" Amir whispers as he cautiously eyes the man-creature. "And what do they mean visit the dead---haven’t we had our fill of the dead."
Keesha looks disgusted but curious on the insect eating population, only hoping she can return soon to civilization.
Then she approaches Amir smiling... "seems we have some quiet finally.. with all the stuff going on, I couldn’t answer you before.. I come from Huzuz, City of Delights.. now on how I ended up there I don’t know... something to do with magic of course, but I would need to research that more deeply one day"
"Huzuz---I heard of that place," Amir gasps. "A place full of thieves who will capture your money and uncovered women who will steal your heart. Best you got out of there." Amir confidently states. "Cities are no place for respectable women."
Finishing her private conversation, she turns to the group "so.. you heard her boys.. time to stop playing messenger and get out of here".. afterwards she approaches Akidya and smiles "Forgive their delusions, we had a rough time in the dessert... is there a way we could get some resting place for a day or two before we can march again?"
Silk looked at the group... he too had seen enough dead things and had no real desire to see more. As for the call of the City... he might indeed indulge his taste buds if nothing else, for the foods and wines of a city in all there variety were always worth the effort. If the decision was to go there he was all for that.. if not, he could await his frenzy of taste tempting tidbits. Ever watchful Silk looked about to see if the thieves were organized.. he might learn something of importance ..when one knows thieves cant.. you can just never know what might ..TURN UP? he chuckled to himself.
As the caravan settles in for the evening, to share some much deserved rest after their long trek, Ya'qub addresses the the newcomers.
"We have completed our journey to Vahtov, and you have honored the bond of salt, and are now released. You should be able to find passage to your chosen destination. Of course, you are welcome to join our humble caravan, if you so choose."

[Gamemaster]

As they eat, Ya'qub's face seems to be clouded. Gone is his usual, likeable, gap-toothed smile, replaced with a grimace of consternation. It is apparent that he feels his mission is not complete, lest he find this "Sita' whom he, Ahmar, Khafaz and the other laborers have spoken about, and this failure seems to weigh heavy on his mind.
"Akidya knows more about Sita than she is willing to tell. "Ahmar says, watching the rest of the party eat.
"Agreed," Ya'qub says, somberly. "There seems to be no one clear story for her passing. One would think that a woman that had earned such respect in this city, well, someone should be able to give a definitive answer! I wish we knew more about the events concerning Sita's 'demise.' I would like to be able to tell Fahad the Generous the whole story, were I to know it."
"I agree," Amir adds. "There is something more to discover there. As to the other matter, you have proven yourselves honorable, and who knows, maybe I will find enough wealth to return with a string of camels and horses. I'll stay for now."
Ahmar continued. "That creature she calls Ku knows something, I am certain. One of us must speak to him alone, away from that woman's tyrannical eye."
"Perhaps. I would like to inquire of Ala'i the Hungry for more information, if you agree." Ya’qub concluded.
"An excellent idea." Ahmar nods. "It seems only Khafaz has had the foresight to consult with the spirit of the carpet regarding our quest. Tell me," he says turning to Fahad's administrator. "What exactly did you ask Ala'i and what did he show you? I understand his messages require some... imagination... to decipher. Perhaps there is more to his answer than you thought."
"So is Alai with us then? I thought it was left behind.." then smiles excited at the prospect of watching such a magical being.
"What magical being? Magic is dangerous and best left to djinn and servants of the gods." Amir remarks. "Do not trust them either. They have their own purposes---far harder to discern than any other man's are."
"I was not with Fahad when he questioned Ala'i," replied Khafaz. "but I trust his interpretations and do not doubt his word."
"I share your distaste for sorcery," Ahmar says to Amir Jameel. "Though I have found gods and their servants no less dangerous with it's use than men."
The party left the sunflower garden and its busy occupants in search of directions to the Vahtov crypt so that they could pay their respects to Sita's memory on Fahad's behalf.
Along the way they met some interesting people...
An old woman who sat on a stone, winding wool into a ball, shared mostly stories of her seven grandchildren, but had general directions to the cemetery and the following information: "I never knew Sita personally, but I heard she left the village about ten years ago in the company of a young woman."
An overweight man digging a firepit to prepare his evening coffee, shared his coffee and some information after Maarouf helped him finish the pit. When Ahmar asked him about the village of Hulm he responded: "To talk of these places is to invite retribution from the gods." He declined further comment on the subject.
Regarding Sita: "A kind woman, so I hear. She rests in the crypt with other honored citizens."
Continuing on as the night rapidly approached, they party encountered a bored city militiaman. Khafaz bribed him to give up the following: Regarding Hulm: "I heard they had a big fire, maybe a year or two back." Regarding Sita: "The best teacher of reading we ever had. She died suddenly of a fever ten years ago. Very sad."

[Gamemaster]

Nearing the cemetery, they next encountered a short burly man, carefully washing the corpse of a young man. As Sahra helped him by cleaning the fingernails, he had the following to say regarding Sita. "Here one day, gone the next. Some say she was sick. She didn't look sick to me. And she was never buried as far as I know. And I usually hear everything that goes on around here." He gestured toward the cemetery. "Now if you will excuse me..."
Early evening, 5th of Dar
--
Standing before the crypt in which some said lay the body of Sita, Ya'qub stood lost in thought. He'd led the caravan to this point, never forgetting why they'd set out a month ago, even though he'd already profited from the journey. He considered for a while and then performed a small ceremony, pouring a small bottle of honeyed wine on the ground before the crypt.
"May your rest be sweet..." Ya'qub finished.
Sahra laid a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe she rests there, maybe she does not. Either way, I believe Fahad will be greatful for your gesture."
After a moment of silence, Khafaz strode out of the cemetery and retrieved the carpet and the literature Fahad had given the party. He unrolled it with a snap and it hovered above the ground; its intricate designs hard to discern in the fading light. At a look from Waleed, Mamoun dashed to the camels and returned with a lamp.
Once the lamp was lit, Khafaz placed a single, handwritten page of literature on the carpet as the party gathered around it. Ala'i accepted the proffered page, for the eyes of the face woven into the center opened. They stared up expectantly; eerily lifelike and intelligent.
Khafaz hesistated. Ya'qub, seeing the others looking to him, repeated aloud his earlier statement. He addressed the carpet as Fahad had during their meeting a month ago. "Great Ala'i, tell of the events concerning Sita's demise."
Then the star-bordered illustration of the mountains in the upper left comer faded away. Images appeared inside the border, one fading into the next: A pool of green sand. Two women, one young, one old, stepping into the sand. The old woman standing next to a river of green fire. A bent figure, wrapped in an aba and burqa, carrying a heavy load of rubble. The original image of the mountains reappear. Ala'i's eyes close.
"Damn, genie magic." Pointing to the rug that was now as it was before it's transformation, Waleed continued, "The green sand and fire signify magic of the Djinn and it's likely that Sita and the young woman went on some pilgrimage. One of them did not return. The one we seek is the bent figure dressed in the aba and burqa. She is either Sita or the young woman, I think the former as we are not seeking the latter. It can be confirmed if we open the crypt, but we will face punishment from the local authority so I am wont not to take that action, and no good can come from disturbing the dead." Thinking a moment, Waleed raised an eyebrow, "Perhaps I like conspiracy theories too much, or weave a tale where none is, but I have a hunch that the young woman in the vision shown to us by A'lai is Akidya's assistant, Ku. Somehow I would wager, both she and Sita were afflicted with a malady that has disfigured them, hence the reason why Sita is wearing a Burqa." Looking at the others and seeing some disbelief on their faces, Waleed smiled, "I was right about the Zombies, wasn't I? I think I'm right about this too. We need to find the Burqa dressed woman, which will be quite difficult I believe, or talk to this Ku, which may be as difficult. What do you think?" Waleed looked at the others again, hoping they didn't think him the fool, but we was always talking his mind and yes, he did tend to exaggerate the circumstances sometimes, well, all the time, but he felt confident he was right this time. "Look about you, this place is cursed, sane people do not eat flies, something is going on here and we cannot trust those that would so easily dismiss us."

[Gamemaster]

"The image of the old woman leaving the desert with a young girl is consistent with the story the old woman told us." Ahmar says considering Waleed's conjectures. "Then there is the tender of the dead who claims that Sita was never buried. He I trust more than Akidya or any other fool in this cursed place! Yet someone is trying to make sure that everyone believes Sita to be dead. But who and why? I'm sure Ku holds the key to this mystery, one way or another. One of us must speak to him." This last he says with a sidelong, questioning glance at Ya'qub.
Waleed caught the glance aimed at Ya'qub and remained stoic, "It could be dangerous, life threatening, Ya'Qub should do it. Yes, yes indeed." Waleed looked at the caravan master and made no sign of emotion. When he couldn't stand it anymore, he began to smile, then chuckle to himself.
Wide-eyed, Ya'qub glances back and forth between Ahmar and Waleed, as they both seem to be talking about him as if he wasn't there.
"Wh-wh-wh-what do you mean?" He sputters. "How am I to talk to this, creature? What do I say? Surely there is someone else..." He could feel the nervousness welling up within him, but so far, he had managed to keep control over his lisp.
"I am not suggesting Ya'qub throw his life away," Ahmar says irritably. "Nor that he needs go alone. He has a way with men, perhaps beasts as well. If any of us can charm that creature into telling us what he knows of Sita, it is Ya'qub." He lays a hand on the merchant's shoulder. "If you agree to this task," he says. "I will do all that I can to assure that no harm comes to you."
A hint of movement, a wisk of sound as a small gecko lizard dropped from the top of the crypt. What hit the ground was Ku, bursting from one shape to another. He crouched before the party, eye's wide and smiling. He held his empty hands before him, perhaps intent on demonstrating his lack of weapons; if you didn't count the long talons on each of its six fingers.
It wasn't only Sahra who gasped in surprise.
"A moment of your time? I can take you to a woman who knows where to find Sita."
Recovering his wits quickly, Ya'qub spoke up. "Well, it seems the question is decided. Ku, we would greatly desire to learn all that we can about Sita. But first tell us this: is she truly dead? We will go no further until we know the true end of this woman our employer has loved his entire life."
Cautiously, Ya'qub looks around the group to ensure that the others were close at hand. He didn't feel completely at ease speaking with Ku, and appreciated the nearness of his more deadly companions.
"I know not," Ku said. "But I can take you to someone who would know. A wise woman lives in the hills outside of Vahtov..." Ku ran a hand through his long, golden hair, pausing to finger the elborate earings in his ear. "Perhaps if you give me a few gifts I could take you to her."
"Gifts?" Ahmar says, taking a wary step back. "What trickery is this? If Akidya has sent you after us she had better hope you do not fail!"
Ku recoiled, shielding his face with his arms. "Akidya had me watch over the crypt! She said no one should disturb the dead. You haven't done that, so she'll be satisfied." With a sniff of injured pride, he straightened and folded his arms across his chest. "Hearing your discussion I thought perhaps I could help..." His eyes darted from face to face. "You want to find the old woman, I like pretty jewelry. Akidya doesn't need to know."
"Please pardon my friends, Ku, we mean no disrespect." Waleed looked annoyed at the others, first at Ahmar for almost ruining their only lead to Sita and to Ya'qub who could not see that he was only joking around about it being very dangerous to talk to Ku.
"I'm sure we have something to pique your interest, unfortunately I have nothing on me right now. Ya'qub?"
"Forgive me," Ahmar says with a slight bow. "I meant merely to test your loyalty. This is a strange place and I'm sure you understand our caution. I am sure one of the merchants among us has something which you will like. But tell me one thing first--why does Akidya wish us to think Sita is dead?"

[Gamemaster]

"Akidya does not confide in me. Perhaps she believes her dead." Ku shrugged. "Until you came, there was no reason to believe otherwise."
Silk didn’t like it .. he didn’t like it at all, and things he didn’t like made him nervous. He agreed with the idea that the green fire from the vision was indeed a hint toward Dijinn magics.. it also confirmed the second woman hinted too in the other info they had been told. " if it is decided to follow this... Fellow.. I can satisfy his liking of jewelry if given a day to .. talk to a few people within the city" He said no more and kept listening to the others .. finding all this a bit much. Why was he here... had fate called him to play a part in this .. and what was he to gain from his time here.... for the moment.. he really didn’t have anything better to do. With that said he waited to see what might be the decision.
"I can guess which direction your discussions with the people of Vahtov will take." Ahmar cautions Silk. "As so few here seem willing to aid us, let us not be rash in dealing with these people. One of us certainly must have something to satisfy this... man."
Keesha smiles softly as she moves from behind the group to the front, fully in command being this a situation she has been into many times before. Not in the desert, but welcoming that mens? greed does not seem to change from the city to the desert. She then looks into Ku's eyes straight and speaks soft but firmly "And as an old friend I will certainly welcome your help..."
Ahmar reaches for Keesha's arm, intent on breaking her concentration. "Perhaps your... talents should be saved for another time." he suggests to the sorceress. "Let us keep this simple. Ku has made his offer, now we must choose whether to accept it or not."
Reaching into his bag, Ya'qub withdraws a bracelet set with emeralds. "Perhaps this might be something to add to your collection of pretty baubles..." he said, softly.
Ku's eyes widened hungrily. He bit his lower lip and reached cautiously for the bracelet. "Yes," he mumbled, "that will do quite nicely. Meet me north of Vahtov, one hour before sunrise."
"Agreed," Ahmar says, still eyeing the creature cautiously. "We will be there. But no tricks. I doubt Akidya would you contradicting her authority."
"Yes... Akidya. I would rather she did not know. Best not to trouble her with our search for your Sita." After a long look at the promised emerald bracelet, Ku changed to a small lizard and skurried away.
'Good, I'm glad that's settled.' Waleed thought to himself. After a brief pause, Waleed said, "Let us find a place to stay for the night, I could use a soft bed and a bath after all these days of desert still clinging to me." With that said, he began to motion his camel away from Sita's crypt.