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Arovandeon chuckles at the guard's words, choosing to treat them as a jest rather than a true challenge. "The more appropriate question would be to ask if the serpent had a permit to hunt us. We were attacked by it while surveying a site to the east, and defended ourselves. Seeing that it was such a magnificent specimen, we thought to bring it to a taxidermist for preservation. If there is a tax to transport the carcass into the city, then I am sure we can settle this."
Mahu face becomes stern. "Tsk, tsk. Osirion's wildlife is as much a national resource as our antiquities! He then breaks out into a smile. Ha! Only kidding. Let me do a quick check." He proceeds to search through your gear once more. Pausing to glance sidelong at Fastenhyme, he says. "Get some clothing for your friend. He'll back under the Osirion sun! Now move along!" He says as he moves on to the next group of travelers.
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Marianne trudges through the gate and once they are out of sight of the guards motions to a group of street children, "Here you can have this, sell it, eat it, whatever, but be careful of its fangs they might be poisonous."
"Right so we need to head for this School of Science and plant the prayer book amongst Ionacu Lozar's stuff."
Deciding to visit the scholar next, the party goes to find Ionacu Lozar. Without much effort, the party finds the scholar preparing for his expedition.
More than a dozen camels are tethered outside a large pavilion tent while a score of porters pack supplies for what looks to be a grand archaeological expedition. Crates of tools, coils of rope, and sacks of dried food lie in piles waiting to divided up among the beasts of burden. Within the sumptuously appointed pavilion, stacks of scrolls and hand-drawn maps lie strewn across a canopied bed. A tall, dark haired northerner with a thick eastern accent and persistent scowl supervises the storm of activity while checking over an inventory scrawled in a well-worn ledger. “Where are those amphorae of water? This expedition won’t last a week in the Pillars of the Sun without water!”
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"Hmm, several choices available for your pleasure", Fastenhyme explains, I could guise one of us as a servant bringing goods to his room, while he is distracted, slip the scarab into his belongings. Or if I can get close enough, Mage Hand it. Or perhaps we sould just drop it into one of these amphoraes he's taking.
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"I think its the stuff here we need to get it amongst, and with other books so it seems like it was always part of his collection - my impression at least. Maybe you could just put an illusory box a sandstorm around and one of us could drop the book in while covered by that? Someone else could scrawl and offensive message on a crate to make it seem like that was what the distraction was for and then leg it? Gah, there has to be a simpler way... This is not my forte."
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"If this task requires subterfuge, diplomacy might give us away." Arovandeon considers the situation. "Fästenhyme, can you make another illusion of disguise? If not, with a moment of preparation, I could create an extract to disguise myself as a porter and place it hopefully without drawing attention."
Arovandeon sets off a small exposions and everyone in the camp jumps to see where it came from. Fastenhyme takes the distraction and sneaks into the Ionacu Lozar's tent, seeing the man's packs lying about.
With the help of a cantrip, Fatemhyme is able to lodge the book between.two others amd.slip out of the tent, tight before Lozar turns to check his valuables. The man shoots a stare at Fastemhyme, but merely scowls and resumes checking his packs.
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"Right The Dancing Dunes, to find out how this half elf bint is acquiring secrets. It better not be a brothel, but its going to be isn't it....." Marianne says, sighing.
The party heads off the the Dancing Dunes. Entering, you see a spectacularly groomed garden of colorful sand occupies most of this two-story cabaret’s ground floor. A narrow wooden bridge winds about a trio of decorative obelisks dotting the miniature desert. A lavish sitting area filled with divans occupies the second-floor balcony granting a magnificent view of the garden below. Private curtained chambers encircle the garden, where lush rugs, soft mattresses, or piles of throw pillows serve to cushion the repose of clientele in each chamber. A door off the northern balcony opens to a staircase leading down to the street, while another set of stairs to the east leads down to the garden.
As you enter, you are immediately greeted by a servant girl. "Welcome to the Dancing Dune. Entry is free during the day, but if your going to stay for a performance there is a charge. Also, I must insist that all weapons are peace-bonded." She says with a genial smile.
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"I am a priestess of Desna, and a midwife surely that is not necessary? If I get called to a birthing I do not want to waste precious time removing this bond, nor would I wish to brave some of the rougher neighbourhoods unarmed. Not only that, but this weapon is the only thing I have of my father and means a great deal to me. If you were giving birth would you want the midwife delayed?"
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As he allows his own small dagger to be tied, Arovandeon listens to Marianne's request and tries to refrain from the obvious comment. What sort of midwife needs a longspear to deliver a child?
"I would like to see how a spear might be secured in a peace tie that would still allow the owner to walk through doorways." He tries to help with a little logical humor.
"Onto another subject - I do not know if we shall remain long enough for a show, but will pay the difference if such an event. For now we would like a private spot to conduct a little business."
The servant smiles widely, but she says. "I'm sorry, but it is the rule here at the Dunes. If you don't peace-bond, you'll be asked to leave."
The woman leads to the party to a set of soft-looking pillows and a couch. "You mentioned business. May I inquire as the nature of business. Is there anyone coming to the Dunes that I can escort to your party?"
The woman's eyebrows raise ever so slightly and she nods. "She is currently occupied, but I will let her know." She starts to walk away, then stops and turns. "May I inform her of the nature of visit?"
The servant nods and saunters away. A short time later, a fetching half-elf woman appears. "I am Madame Zelkhati. My servant told me you would like to speak with me? What is it? I am a very busy woman."
"Aye there is, follow me." She motions to the party to follow and heads toward the central garden. Strolling around the garden, she says. "You may be assured this is a private place to talk. I admit to having my curiosity piqued as to the manner of your visit." Motioning the Dunes shes says. "Do you find my establishment enjoyable?"
Madame Zelekhati looks out over her garden, waiting for a response.