"Aieee, I'm a hero in Duwvor, not hear. Mmmmm, I'm going to have some good dreams tonight," he points at Natasha, "not invited."
That said he gives his bedroll a pummeling and then settles down and is asleep almost instantly.
"I shall tell the burly men to go ahead and take my usual slot, then," Natasha says, smirking slightly.
She then proceeds to cast the Alarm spell and seeks out her own bedroll. "How do you chaps feel about trying to get that spell and the scribing inks off of Leroung, though?" she asks while crawling in.
"I think the idea of a shiny new spell for you is a fine one, Natasha. But don't you think Leroung will wonder why you have a sudden need to send a message to a far-away place, if that is what your Whispering Wind spell is for? Might be seen as a bit like me asking to borrow an opponent's sword before a fight."
With that, Ajkanir unrolls his bedroll and is about to lie down when he looks around and says, a sardonic smile on his face, "I hadn't noticed in the past that Razan was asleep while on watch, but he definitely is this time. He must have wanted to be well rested for the burly men. Guess I'll take the first one, and wake him in a few hours."
"It's worth a try Natasha. I'm willing to speak with him on the morrow. I too would much rather warn Duwwor now. We know the camp is the source of the plague. I'm sure the High Warden and High Priest would like us to investigate further, but if we die they won't even know where to begin."
"Aieeeee, I don't really think we need a watch with the alarm spell," Razan yawns, "might as well get some sleep, but wake me if you want I suppose caution is always useful.
Night passes, and the sounds of hyenas fills the air at more than one point. When morning comes, a servant bearing a simple meal, water and wine, appears at the tent. Not long after, Leroung appears, flanked as always by Imperia,s grim countenance.
the excitement on the man's face is, as before, obvious. He can barely stand still as he speaks.
"Good morning, to you all. I'm sure you know that I have every intention of delving into the pyramid today, in hopes to find a cure for the disease that has been ravaging the men... I know it does not aid your investigation into this woman in blue silks, nor the ghuls. But if you are willing to put aside your concerns and join me in an historic undertaking, I would be most grateful, and certainly willing to render what aid you may need in your investigations once the task is complete."
Razan eats his wander meal and drinks his own water, on principle, and ensures Sandstreak is doing alright and that he knows where the horse is tethered.
When Leroung arrives his shows his displeasure in stony silence and by hardly ogling Imperia at all, for once leaving the diplomacy to others.
"Frankly sir, I'd rather not. History, or at least as much as I've read, tends to be about people who end up dying horribly. I'd rather continue our investigations, unaided if need be. Of course, if my companions think otherwise, I'll need to respect their wishes."
Razan gives Khol an incredulous look, and looks to his other comrades for sense. Aieee, is he trying to make it look less suspicious? Surely we want to enter the plague pyramid since its almost certainly the objective of our mission and we have zero other viable leads.
Ajkanir grins back at Leroung, saying "Forgive my companion, he lacks the imagination necessary to appreciate just what you are offering. I am sure we would value any help you can offer us in our investigation, but even were such help not on offer, I would join you in opening the pyramid. As I said to my friends just yesterday, I could not pass up such an opportunity, to enter a place where no one has been for centuries, to see things seen by no one now living!"
Looking around at his companions, Ajkanir adds "Having made clear my interest, I hope you will take no offense when my friends and I take some precautions to protect ourselves against plague before we enter? If we believe it may be the source of the illness, it seems wise to be careful."
Pausing for a moment, he then asks "Can you tell us anything of the plague that has infected the camp, so we can be on the watch for symptoms in ourselves"
"I too would be honored to have the opportunity to join you for this investigation into the pyramid, though I do have some concern with the risks. It would greatly assuage my fears if we could arrange to send a message about the fate of the crocodile village to our employer back in Duwwor. If the worst should happen, they will at least be warned of our plans and the village's fate. There is a simple spell. I believe to some it is known as the whispering wind. Are you familiar with it?"
"I must agree with my comrade," Natasha says, taking a step over to stand beside Zahur. "It would not do to leave our employer in the dark about our fate, should something... unfortunate... happen."
"Your need is certainly understandable. However that particular spell lacks the range to reach someone in Duwwor. I have an alternative, but it too has limits. A Sending spell would allow a short message to be relayed to someone, but I cannot contact your employer as I'm sure I do not know them. However, I do have a scroll of the spell handy for my own uses that I would happily donate to your cause. Is one of you capable to using it?"
"Your generosity is humbling, milord," Natasha says, with a polite bow of the head. "I believe I would be most suited to the use of such an item."
Pellious snaps his fingers and Narastraxus flies over from Leroung's tent, carrying a scroll. Pellious takes it, and the imp flies off, cursing habitually in infernal.
"The spell takes some time, ten minutes, and it gives you a few sentences, twenty five words at most. Pick your recipient and complete the spell. Djeserit and I will be at the pyramid."
"Thank you for your generosity Master Leroung. We shall send our update and join you shortly."
"Aiiieeee, so, let's see how about, "evil plague pyramid dug up by evil Chelaxian Leroung, village of whatsit all dead Ghuls did it probably, we go in to stop it - laters,"" Says Razan, after Leroung is out of earshot, counting off the words on his fingers.
"Reporting: source plague likely Usij-built pyramid. Leroung-sponsored group digging it up. Ghuls and unknown spellcaster have exterminated village. Entering pyramid. Advise if possible," Natasha suggests -- also once the group is out of Leroung's earshot.
"Perhaps it would be better to add some information about the exact location," she muses. "Any suggestions, gentlemen?"
"Aieee, you don't need, source, likely, it, have, pyramid, or if possible. So give the location to I say."
"I agree, the statues should provide a good landmark for them."
"Reporting: source plague Usij-pyramid near giant statues," Natasha says. "Village destroyed; Ghuls, unknown spellcaster. Pyramid being exacavated; Leroung-sponsored troops. Entering pyramid. Advise if possible. Quickly."
"Aieeee, it works for me, send away."
"I'd like some privacy for this," Natasha grumbles. "It does take ten minutes to cast this spell."
Natasha clears a bit of space on the floor. She sets down a single candle, sits down with her legs crossed at the ankles and unrolls the scroll. "High Warden Skeos," she mutters -- and the candle ignites itself.
The Wizard holds the scroll up between herself and the candle, her eyes seeming to stare into a great distance as she starts to mutter. The crisp, black ink on the scroll starts to shimmer and glow, a bright gold like sunlight -- and either Natasha's eyes reflect this light, or they start to shine with it themselves.
Five minutes pass, then ten, as Natasha continues to chant and mutter, her body moving not an inch, and then...
"Reporting," she says in a clear voice, which echoes oddly, rather as if the Wizard were sitting in a vast, brass-panelled tunnel, rather than a tent in the desert. "Source plague: Usij-pyramid near giant statues. Village destroyed; Ghuls, unknown spellcaster. Pyramid being exacavated; Leroung-sponsored troops. Entering pyramid. Advise. No Sendings left."
The golden letters blaze pitch black, going from light to un-light and looking like holes in the air. Disturbingly, the same is true of the candle flame. Only Natasha's eyes continue to blaze, but their radiance seems to be shining into those holes cared out by the spell, lost to a distance of miles...
The response from Skeos comes almost instantly.
"Contain and eliminate source of plague. There has been no sign of additional infection in Duwwor. Ascertain if Leroung is dangerous, rumors say that they...
The message terminates somewhat abruptly.
"Idiot!" Natasha hisses as the candle winks out, the scroll puffs into dust and her eyes return to normal.
"The high warden is apparently not familiar with the limits of the Sending spell," the Wizard says, acidly, as she climbs back to her feet.
"In any case, we are ordered to 'contain and eliminate the source of the plague', as well as to ascertain whether 'Leroung is dangerous'. There have been no further signs of infection of Duwvor, which is a blessing, I suppose."
Natasha's voice drips with sarcasm. "The man is a wizard capable of accessing the middle of the middle tier, and he has a devil and a small, private army. We already know he is dangerous! We are dangerous, the desert is dangerous, the plague is dangerous, the Div are dangerous! All manner of things are dangerous!"
"He also didn't have the same time to prepare that we did Natasha. You're right, we already know we need to learn more about Leroung...and the pyramid. At least we now know that if we fail, there is hope for Duwwor. To the pyramid?"
Ajkanir steps away from the door of the tent, where he has supposedly been standing guard while Natasha sends her message. In truth, he’s been staring in wonder at the magic she has done – not just the sending of the message, and the quick response, but the transformation she underwent in the process. Shaking his head, he returns his attention to the world around him and Natasha's reaction to the high priest's message. He says laughingly ”Ah, Natasha, yet another reminder not to get on your bad side. On either of your..on any of your bad sides. You’re a woman with high standards, no?”
Turning to head out of the tent, he adds ”Yes, Zahur, now that we have Natasha’s catalog of dangers, and word that Duwwor is safe for the time being, let us head to the pyramid and see if we can’t unleash some new dangers on the world, while Khol tells us what a bad idea it is.”
"Aieeee, let's go," Razan says, starting to head over to the pyramid.
"It is a bad idea, but he has already uncovered the damnable thing and won't be dissuaded from entering." Salt clicks ominously as if to accent his master's thoughts.
"Well, what if we try to make it less of a bad idea, and take our antiplague now? As I understand it, it is more effective if taken before exposure to the plague."
With a distinctly unenthusiastic expression Razan downs his antiplague, swiftly washing down the awful stuff with great gulps from his waterskin,
"Aiieeeee, yuck."
The dig site is empty, save for Leroung, Chard and Djeserit. Again, Leroung kneels before the doorway, examining it closely. He traces the symbol of the Usij on the door, slowly, muttering arcane words under his breath.
"There are tiny symbols here, ancient Osirian, in the sliver being eclipsed by the darkness..." He steps back, allowing Djeserit and any others to view what they say.
"Come bearing gifts of the Pharaoh"
"Any ideas?"
Khol shrugged, idly picking a scrap of breakfast from between his too sharp teeth.
"It says, 'come bearing gifts of the Pharaoh'," Natasha translates. "Gold, perhaps?"
"Aieeee, the gifts of this Pharaoh might be plagues..." Razan says, scowling.
"I'm sure you carry one or two. Maybe you can push it open." Imperia says without looking at Razan.
"Gifts of the Pharaoh? What could that mean?" says Ajkanir, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Lady knight, I will thank you for a modicum of courtesy towards my companions," Natasha says in an icy tone of voice. "Young master Tresh's brain is addled; you do not have that excuse."
The young Wizard frowns at the inscription and, without any visible effort, pulls a pair of lambskin gloves from her pack and - with apparent ceremony - snugs them onto her hands.
Zahur frowns at Natasha's translation. "Sickness would seem likely knowing who is buried here." He searches his memory for other possibilities. I wonder...worshippers of Ahriman perhaps?
"Aieeee, yeah my... Hey! Natasha you must make allowances, it is hard to be civil with an iron rod up your arse, I am sure poor Inferior here is doing her best."
"See?" Natasha says in an offhanded way. "He was probably dropped on his head as an infant. On rocks. On purpose."
The term "Gift of the Pharoah" is usedamong the Usij. Their highest and 'holiest' members often inflicted themselves with diseases to show their power and control over the weapons they spread among mankind. They referred to this, and most plagues as the "Gift of the Pharaoh"
"Gifts of the Pharoah. I have heard this phrase before. Some of the Usij, especially their leaders and those who want to show their worthiness before Ahriman will willingly infect themselves with diseases. They believe it shows their commitment to their misaligned faith and their power and control when they spread disease among men. One may need to be diseased to activate this entrance."
"Then it seems we are in need of one of your sickened ... workers, lord Leroung," Natasha says.
Khol's eyes suddenly went wide as something clicked into place in his head.
"Friends! A word please," he said, forcibly corralling the others somewhat away from their hosts.
"This is exactly why the plague has cropped up again. Someone other than that foreigner wants this temple open and has happily provided the suicidally curious Leroung with a key to do so. However we are up against either has ties to the Usij or their records and that can only mean trouble," Khol said in hushed tones.
"The presence of the Ghuls corroborates your theory, Khol," Natasha says, nodding reluctantly. "Phaw! It's a cleverly-executed snare."
"Aieee, you might be right, but our best bet is still to go in and destroy everything - it won't remained sealed for long we cannot guard such a place it needs to be dealt with. All it would mean if you are right is that we are likely to be able to kill a few more Ghuls, which is a good thing in my book."
While the party asides, Leroung dispatches the Hellknight to bring one of the sickened.
Minutes later, two of the prisoners appear, scarves wrapped around their mouths, bearing a third on a makeshift stretcher, very soon to become a bier for the poor soul it carries. Chard follows at what she obviously sees as a safe distance. The three prisoners are coated in the dust and grime of the dig site.
Buboes are widespread upon the body, fingertips and toes are blackening, as well as the nose and lips. What is left of the man mewls pitifully as he is jostled down the side of the hill. Leroung clears away from the entrance, pity evident on his face. Djeserit simply watches as the man approaches, and only moves away when Leroung takes her arm.
this man is very much on the verge of death. His symptoms follow an infection of the bubonic plague. On the oustide his right arm, a lone deep cut is visible. It should have healed easily, but due to the infection already present, it is festering.
the man has a long, festering, blackened cut on the outside of this right arm. His wrists and ankles show the scarring of long-term shackling.
The rocks and dust from the dig site on these workers match those found under the fingernails of the corpse in the desert that was being eaten by the hyenas.