|
Post by Gamemaster on May 18, 2005 10:10:23 GMT -7
6th of Rahat
The cool winter air, wet with sea spray, was as a gift from the gods. The sails snapped taught and the Bright Dancer danced across the swells beyond the harbor of Tajar. Her crew leapt at each command of the young captain, trimming the sails to best capture the steady breeze that blew them northeast. Ya’qub stood by Shabab Eblis at the rudder discussing sailing fundamentals while Sahra stood with her back to them at the stern. Her kind face was a mask of delight as she gripped the railing with one hand and gathered her long hair with the other. She was watching sea birds whirl and dive from on high in pursuit of the multitudes of silver fish that flashed beneath the clear blue-green sea.
Keesha and Adila sat on the deck in quiet conversation, having found a place that seemed to least interfere with the comings and goings of the busy crew. Adila marveled at the diversity of the men and women Shabab had gathered--foreigners were hardly common within the Zakharan mainland. Apparently, Ya’qub had chosen a captain who picked the best qualified sailors, regardless of their strange looks and customs. Shabab himself looked somewhat Zakharan, but clearly something was different. His size was the most obvious difference, but his features were also different enough to set him apart from another on the streets of Tajar.
Waleed stood at the prow of the ship, berating a trembling Mamoun for his lack of courage. Wudei'a had the tact not to point out Waleed’s white knuckles gripping the railing when she handed her master a bowl of fruit and nuts.
|
|
|
Post by Waleed Ibn Alurah on May 18, 2005 10:44:19 GMT -7
"Mamoun, we have fought undead, weathered the abuse of desert nomads, this is nothing. It's just a little water, it can't harm you, really. I mean, what lies in the water could harm you, big black slimy tentacled things born deep in the bowels of the earth, expunged from their womb, swimming relentessly seeking helpless prey to devour." Waleed stood there silent, bowl in hand that he had accepted from his lovely bodyguard, Wudei'a, it's contents uneaten. "Alright, well, I'm going to my room to do some studying. Here." Waleed thrust the bowl into Mamoun's hands and made a beeline for his room
|
|
|
Post by Keesha on May 18, 2005 11:39:39 GMT -7
Overhearing Waleed she just smirks at Adila playfully as she snaps her fingers
|
|
|
Post by Ya'qub on May 18, 2005 13:08:34 GMT -7
Waleed stood at the prow of the ship, berating a trembling Mamoun for his lack of courage. Wudei'a had the tact not to point out Waleed's white knuckles gripping the railing when she handed her master a bowl of fruit and nuts. After Waleed left, Ya'qub turned to Mamoun. "It maketh you feel any better, I'm not ethpecially comfortable myself. After all, I'm a caravaneer, not a thailor. Thara! Pleathe don't get too clothe to the rail!"
|
|
|
Post by Gamemaster on May 18, 2005 14:14:23 GMT -7
"I suppose it's a little too late to learn how to swim," Mamoun lamented.
|
|
|
Post by Gamemaster on May 18, 2005 15:07:07 GMT -7
Just before Waleed made it to the cabin door, he jumped with a start and a gasp. A length of wet rope had snaked out and brushed across his leg before falling limp to the deck. With a cough he straightened his robes and continued in to the cabin. Were it not impossible, it seemed he shut the door with such force as to stir up a strong breeze—a breeze that gusted across the deck and threatened to send Keesha’s robes fluttering above her smiling face.
Adila laughed in simple delight, the weight of her curse momentarily lifted.
|
|
|
Post by Gamemaster on May 19, 2005 13:23:45 GMT -7
The coast was never out of sight, a fact quite reassuring to those new to sailing. Twice you passed caravels riding low in the water, en route no doubt to the famous markets of Huzuz. As the sun set on your first day at sea and the first stars began to shine, a pair of dolphins playfully crisscrossed in front of the Bright Dancer.
Through the night you sailed, the stars guiding the way of the crew.
Early the next afternoon, Shabab Eblis al-Rubban turned the ship windward toward the coast. An hour later the Bright Dancer lay anchored beyond the breakers and you’re rowing the longboat to the golden shore. Beyond a long stretch of sand, a low-walled compound sits in the shadow of a low, rocky hill. Within the compound, bleached white domes and minarets rise about the walls. No one is in sight and the doors are closed.
Over you a shadow passes with a loud steady buzz. Shading your eyes you see a six foot long, jet black wasp with ruby colored eyes and cherry-red front mandibles. It looks like a giant version of the mason wasp… a common symbol of good luck in Zakhara. As the longboat swells forward on to the sands of the shore, the wasp lands ahead of you, perhaps a stones throw away. With its front legs it begins to scratch lines in the sand.
|
|
|
Post by Waleed Ibn Alurah on May 19, 2005 14:27:53 GMT -7
"Very interesting, yes, yes, indeed." Waleed, at first hesitant, but asking himself how many times had he ever seen a wasp of such enormous size try to communicate to a human, convinced himself to step forward and attempt to read what the wasp was writing in the sand. Without looking back, he also motioned for Mamoun and his bodyguards to hold back.
|
|
|
Post by Keesha on May 19, 2005 15:47:19 GMT -7
Looking at Waleed she cant avoid being a bit nervous "He always just stomps ahead right?" she whispers to Yaqub, while loosening her robe a bit prepared to jump to help if something seems wrong.
|
|
|
Post by Gamemaster on May 19, 2005 17:44:18 GMT -7
In large block strokes the following words took shape, the creature buzzing backwords every few words to make a sort of backwards scrolling paragraph:
Greetings, generous pilgrams, in the name of the Loregiver and Zann the Most Wise! May peace be upon you, and may Fate smile upon you and your journey!
|
|
|
Post by Waleed Ibn Alurah on May 19, 2005 18:03:11 GMT -7
"Wow, that's great!" Waleed exclaimed like a little child. "Thank you most wonderous creature." Waleed bowed respectfully. "Are we to continue up towards the temple, noble one? It seems as if no one is there?"
|
|
|
Post by Ya'qub on May 20, 2005 5:55:59 GMT -7
Looking at Waleed she cant avoid being a bit nervous "He always just stomps ahead right?" she whispers to Yaqub, while loosening her robe a bit prepared to jump to help if something seems wrong. All Ya'qub could do was nod in tense agreement.
|
|
|
Post by Gamemaster on May 20, 2005 10:20:43 GMT -7
It was impossible to interpret the alien face as it listened to Waleed’s questions. Its head flicked side-to-side and cocked at odd angels while chittering in low chirps. Then with a powerful buzz of its wings, the wasp erased the writing in the sand and began again:
O great and generous pilgrims! I am Nalv, guardian and protector of this holy site.
Fate in her wisdom has guided you here to aid me in a pious and holy task.
Mysterious earthquakes are damaging the Shrine of Suhail min Zann.
Come inside and see what has befallen the final resting place of Imam Suhail.
|
|
|
Post by Waleed Ibn Alurah on May 20, 2005 10:49:30 GMT -7
"I am your humble servant in this matter, please, lead the way and I will follow." Waleed bowed respectfully once again and then motioned behind him, without taking his eyes off the wasp, for Mamoun and his bodyguards to follow. Waleed was captivated by the huge insect, he had enjoyed watching and playing with insects as a child and had been stung or bitten on several occasions, but it never lessened his fascination with the creatures. However, playing with them was as far as he went. The young noble's mind remembered the flies that infested and were consumed at Vahtov and it brought a dryness to his mouth. He tried to clear his thoughts of such memories, but the image of a sweet creme covered pastry dotted with flies kept intruding.
|
|
|
Post by Keesha on May 20, 2005 11:49:16 GMT -7
Looking at Yaqub she shakes her head
"I dont like the look of this"
Having a hard time remembering anything she asks Adila and Yayup.. "ever heard of Imam Suhai?"
then she calls Eakon to her side.. "Easy my darling, things are ok.. I dont like that insectoid creature either but lets not get in panic as it seems friendly at least"
|
|