A lamp of burnished gold suspended by a gold chain from the twenty-foot-high vaulted ceiling blazes with magical everburning flames to light the treasure vault, reflecting brightly off the heap of coins, gems, jewels, armor, weapons, potion vials, scroll tubes, wands, and other lovely treasures...
The heroic Champions have won a great victory against the forces of tyranny, having slain the evil rakshasa posing as Emir Al'Haaq of Marrakech, and the monstrous terror of the Moroccan Desert, Boombada the Behir. They have struck a mighty blow against the Arab Slave Trade in Morocco, having liberated the port of Safi from the vampires that terrorized it, and now the metropolis of Marrakech from the insideous rakshasa!
The first bold steps toward Mwikali's vision of a Free Kingdom of Africa have been taken... A fire has been lit, and two shining beacons of freedom blaze in Morocco, lighting the road to the Free Kingdom: the port of Safi, and the city of Marrakech! As news of these new havens of liberty travels, an influx of immigrants from throughout North Africa will soon swell their streets, seekers after a new life, a life of freedom...
The Champions stand at a crossroads, for they must now decide between two quests: One quest awaits them in Rome, where Pope Eugenius IV anxiously awaits the return of the Crusaders of the Catacombs, hopefully reinforced by Prince Henry of Portugal's band of Desert Jackals, plus the newcomers sent by other allies of the Church, that they might continue the hunt for Antichrist and the Church of Lucifer. The other quest, to continue the campaign against the Arab Slave Trade, and expand the Free Kingdom of Africa...
"Yes these will do nicely. Spoils of war and all" She says with a vicious smile on her face looking over the piles of cash and jewels.
She looks at the Kukri and shrugs setting it back in the pile."To think no daggers in the bunch, how tragic. What is a girl to do"She looks at the others and giggles before she leaves the Vault.
"I am gonna change into something more comfortable and free the harem while I am at it. You all enjoy picking through the wealth. After that, I say we bathe eat and then discuss our next move" She was arrogant but in her mind, she knew what was at stake for her country and her adoptive brother. She wanted to distablize more and more of the powerful Caliphates and Sultanates, making them weaker and weaker that they retreated from Europe and focused back in there own lands. Then and only then will she be able to truly focus on the weird tattoos and why she keeps coming back from the dead.
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"Princess Ihrin, your father clearly has great confidence in you to send you so far from Wallachia." Lucius responds to the woman's greeting. "As to his Holiness I hope that we will all return to Rome shortly. The city labours under the burden of the Antichrist and we have found plans that speak of the great dragon Wormwood falling upon the city during St Valentine's day. Our purpose in coming here was to secure aid, that we might face this dragon and confront the Antichrist himself."
He breaks eye contact with the princess and looks around more widely, taking in each of the Desert Jackals. "I have heard of your dreams for a free Africa and it is a worthy one. All should be freed from the yolk of tyranny and educated in the true faith. However I must ask that your mission take a pause, for the Antichrist himself threatens Christendom, the Holy Father and the City of Rome! Prince Henry has already given his blessing for your return with us to Rome that we might combat this monster. Will you stand with us, against the forces of Hell itself?"
"Tear of Poseidon.." She steps up and looks at it.
"Lord P isn't this what the Marid needs to be free?" She says looking to her diminutive partner.
"Yes it is and it is the only part of any reward I wish to have. The rest is yours mortals. But this I have to give to Marid."
Tacking it he pops it into his pouch.
"Nero?!?" the Rabbi asks with clear interest, "Your church may have completely misunderstood the Rabbi Yeshua, Cardinal, but you are not wrong about Nero. He stole secrets from the Temple of HaShem, which he perverted in his quest for undeath, and then he razed Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple to silence us and safeguard his secret. If you oppose him, I am with you."
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he bellows at Mwikali.
Getting a hold of himself, he goes back to his normal voice. "I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH YOU PETTING THE SNAKE OR BEAR..UH... THAT DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT I LITERALLY SAID... BUT PLEASE KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT OF MY BEARD."
Later.... He speaks in an awed moderated tone while looking at the hoard...
"Look at these boots! With these, I could be a flying serpent of death! And... what! What is this! You are saying this ring could prevent the nasty shock of electricity? Cardinal, I can have this, right?"
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"And your faith may be unable to accept the New Testament, but we are all children of the Heavenly Father none-the-less." His tone is more conversational than serious. "I welcome your help Rabbi. All aid is welcome against Nero."
At Johann's question the Cardinal turns to examine the loot before nodding firmly. "Most wise friend Johann. Take the ring and perhaps that will rid us of the burned hair smell! As to the boots however Johann - as a snake you have no feet - would this be a problem."
Mwikali giggles as she stops scratching Johanns beard. She feigns a pout and then stretches up to kiss the grumpy bear on the cheek."Fine I guess you'll have to settle for a kiss. No petting the beard." She then looks to the Cardinal speak and her eyes steel.
"A Dragon is a bad sign. Here we tend to see them breathe Lighting down upon us or fire. They rarely stir, We are not stupid enough to challenge them outright. Like those Knights, thinking a metal shell will protect them from the mystical might of a Dragon. I will help with keeping it from taking and eating who it wishes." She pauses as she blinks and lets her eyes get serious.
"Africa is my home, it grants me part of her power as my own. Her spirit flows through me, granting me the power to aid her. Your faith, however, is not the only one. I have heard God or this Christ is the same as Allah and Yahweh. Three believes for one God. Belief different enough to kill for. It is strange.I will help you in kind. You have helped me and the rest of the Jackals, but Africa is to remain free to choose her beliefs. No Forced Conversions, no extortion, no worship him or die." She says steeled in voice her conviction as strong as the Cardinals.
At the mention of freeing the harem, Zagathoth begins inching towards the beautiful stranger whose confusing words made it seem like she didn’t want to make sex with him right now. ”Padre,” he asks with some urgency, ”is it okay to make sex with married womans after their man is dead?”
"I see, so you are still doing Gods good work."Ihrin said with a smile as she limped off into the harem.
------After a few minutes-----
"So stopping evil before it snuffs out the beacon of hope in all of Europe. Sounds fun. " She walks in wearing a black and red silk number decorated in a mix of Wallachian/Arab/Turk/Roman styles. It was sheer and her figure underneath was enshrouded in shadow. Still, she limped forward on her leg her cane clicking on the floor.
"I will definitely come to your aid, but I require time to pour over some of those restricted books in the Churches library. I seek lore on my condition and I believe it lies in there" she says with a sultry smile showing her breasts and neck to the Cardinal, including her apparent scar beneath her breasts.
Saturday, 20th January, 11:11 AM, on the west border of the Bornu Empire:
The awakened tiger Shaka has journeyed for six days and nights from the liberated port of Safi to bring glad tidings to the Mwikali's people, the Kanuri of the Bornu Empire. Barely avoiding death on the spear heads of the mighty Kanuri hunters, Shaka convinces them that he comes in peace to spread the news of a new free haven on the coast of Morocco--the newly liberated port of Safi!
In Kanuri: Hail, mighty hunters of the Kanuri, warriors of Bornu! Do not be afraid, for I am not here to hunt and kill, but to bring glad tidings of a newly liberated port of Safi on the coast of Morocco! All people of goodwill are welcome there, and your sister, the changeling witch Mwikali, bids her people welcome there! We need good folk to swell our ranks and brave warriors to defend our hard-won freedom there! Will not some of you come and help us build a Free Kingdom of Africa!?
Saturday. 20th January, around 4:30 PM, the Atlantic Ocean within first sight of land off the coast of Morocco:
Prince Henry's fleet of Portuguese caravels sails south across the blue swells of the Atlantic...
It is the sharp-eyed Prince himself, standing vigilant at the prow of his magical folding caravel, who first catches sight of Africa...
In Portuguese: LAND HO!!
The Portuguese fleet lands at Safi to take the newly liberated port for Portugal...
The crewmen of the Alanqilis, anchored at the harbor of Safi, are intimidated by the fleet of Portuguese caravels sailing into the harbor...
In Spanish: What is this!? Are we being attacked by Portugal!?
The boatswain cries out: Calm down, mates! Remember, we serve the Desert Jackals, who are Prince Henry's commandos... We are on the same side! We've nothing to fear from Portugal!
The ship's cook counters, si, senór, but I think our masters had other ideas for Safi than to become another Portuguese colony...
Boatswain: It's in the hands of God, now, amigo... We cannot stand against half the Portuguese fleet! Our masters, Captains Wulfgar, Lord Perpireen, Lady Mwikali and Lady Giovanna will have to sort things out with the prince...
First Mate: For now, just look sharp and be polite, maties!
Profoundly affected by the revelation of their emir being a rakshasa in disguise, and by witnessing the superior might of the servants of the Christian God (who is in fact, their Allah anyway), six of the surrendering palace guards show a genuine interest in being baptized and converting to Christianity. These six implore Cardinal Lucius to baptize them in the name of Jesus Christ, and inquire how they might prepare to make themselves ready to receive this baptism.
In Arabic, to Cardinal Lucius: We have seen with our own eyes the power of your Christ, oh merciful father, and we would also follow this holy path! Please, teacher! Teach us the way of Jesus Christ, if indeed he was the son of God, as you say!
The light of longing in their dark eyes leaves no doubt in the Cardinal D'Borja's mind of their sincerity.
Moved by the guards' piety and longing for spiritual salvation, Boga decides at that moment to remain in Africa as a missionary, to spread the good news of the Gospel, and serve God and Jesus Christ as an evangelist and travelling healer...
My friends, I feel God's call... He calls me to remain here in Africa, to succor His people here, while you, my brave friends, fight the Antichrist and the Devil in Rome... I bless you all, in the name of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and I bid you good fortune on your quest, and fare well!
With these words, the Hand of Jan Hus heals up any remaining wounds among his allies before departing the palace for Safi...
Before he leaves, Boga returns Rumplestilskin's rucksack and all it contains to Johann...
Mwikali tsks at that but it is the choice of her people. She also knew that it was Christains who freed her in Egypt so she could not complain overtly much. Still it would be nice for her people to still revere the old ways.
"Nice to have met you, may you find peace here. Know that Mother Africa thanks you Holy man. Remember to include her in your blessings, As I include your God in mine" she says with a sincerity. This God was not for her but if more of his followers were as steadfast and true as those she had come to meet then Africa would be better for it.
Zagathoth spends the rest of the afternoon making sex with as many of the harem girls as are interested. When dinner time arrives he pauses long enough to eat an inhuman amount before moving on to another round of making sex with whichever girls have the stamina to go again.
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Lucid sighs before explaining to Zahatjoth that yes, if the ladies are willing then he can 'make the sexy with them as he and they please.
As the African witch speaks her piece Lucius nods. "I can accept you terms Mwikali. Good has chosen you as his instrument and I respect his will in all things. Once your realm is freed from the tyranny of the Infidel then all can come to worship as they believe."
Lucius spends the rest of his time instructing the guards, and receiving lessons in Arabic from them in return, his divinely aided ear gathering the language in mere hours. After much prayer and meditation the Cardinal slèeps, deeply but not peacefully.
Algoral heads over to Lord P when he gets the chance.
Perpireen McGibel, it is good to see another First Worlder out here. If you have the time this evening, I would love to work with you on chronicling your adventures with these folks. I feel there is an opera or at least epic poem that could be created from their story.
And to the Cardinal: I was asked by the Prince to find and assist these folks in their struggles against the Emir, but having played my admittedly small role in his downfall, find myself at spare ends again. I would be interested in seeing this "Antichrist" of yours laid to his final rest, as undead are anathema.
In the dungeons below the Emir's palace lies the infamous Arena of Death, an underground clockwork amphitheater where fantastic matches are fought and wagered on, between slave gladiators or criminals, and ferocious monsters from the Four Corners of the World!
Surrounding this Octagon of Death with tiered seating and box seats is a labyrinth of corridors and gladiator cells, kitchens, training chambers, baths, and offices on the upper level, and monster cells ranging from medium to gargantuan on the lower level, linked to the Arena by a series of clockwork gates, lifts, and ramps...
A veritable menagerie of monsters inhabits these deeper cells, tended and fed daily by monster keepers who dwell in the upper chambers, and all of whom surrender to the heroes on seeing proof that their former master, wicked rakshasa/Emir Al'Haaq of Marrakech, has been slain...
This raises an ethical dilemma for the Champions. What will they do with all the caged monsters and gladiators? How will they deal with the monster keepers who have been making their living by caring for the Arena monsters? How will they respond to claims that Zagathoth is now, by law of conquest, the new Emir of Marrakech? Certainly, even if he decided to claim this title and domain, other emirs and sheikhs will no doubt contest with him for the throne of the wealthy trade metropolis...
In addition to the healing wand, Algoral would appreciate the gems for his collection.
Most everything here is too large for me to use properly. I can handle one of the wands if we want a mobile healer, and I certainly wouldn't mind adding these four gems to my collection of Second World wonders.
Yes, that seems proper lol!
"Your Orc compatriot seems very vigorous. To think he is putting a skilled and well trained Harem through the sexual gamut must mean he has some sort of near limitless vitality. Impressive" She says in her fine clothes eating the well-cooked meal before them. She had them roast and braze a goat as well as make a variety of vegetables and cheeses, even nuts and fruits to flow. Honey and mead came in too as she knew alcohol was scare here.
"Tell me who do you think would be a viable stand-in for the Verilent Zagathoth Slayer of the Raksasha! Freer of the Slaves of Marrakesh liberator, Sexual Dynamo." She says with flare before going back to daintily eat her food. which with all the hardware strapped to her forearms was surprisingly deceptive.
"Also as for the Arena, I say keep it. Let men fight for honor or if not that prove to be a bloody training ground for some of the deadliest fighters in Africa. However I do see it a good place to have prisoners and enemies fight to the death, so they can be freed to return home." She says with little a timber in her voice.
She eats a bit more and looks over to Alexi. "Rabbi mi povedal, že si bol niekedy mŕtvy? Rovnako ako vstúpil do krajiny doľava, aby sa hnilol a vrátil sa? Len otázka?" She says as if it were passing butter.
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As the political situation clears and it becomes apparent that Zagathoth is, at least temporarily, the new Emir of Marakesh Lucius tries very hard to not curse his Saviour and his ineffable sense of humour. That being done he clears his throat to gain the tables attention.
"Since we cannot, in good conscience, leave Marakesh without leadership, but Zagathoth is required in Rome I offer a suggestion. I have requested from His Holiness that my nephew, Rodrigo, be dispatched to Rome from Spain. He is a paladin of the Church, righteous and upright... if a little more concerned with the ways of the flesh. I think you'd get along well with him Zagathoth. I can communicate with Rome and ask for him to be sent here, to rule in your name and the name of our Holy Church, at least for the time-being."
”We should free the slaves,” the orcish Emir agrees during his brief time at dinner.
"That would include your harem" Mwikali says still astounded by the prowess of this beast.
"Still I am not entirely a fan of this nephew of yours. I personally have never met him. But then again if we gather a council to help in making decisions and secure some sort of allegiance with Portugal allowing for them to help defend Marrakesh and Safi then this should work. I believe Vanna can secure some more trade through the port and the Bornu of my kingdom, should they come will help bolster the troops and secure a better defense from renegade African forces." She says sticking a claw into a cube of meat and eating it.
"That would include your harem" Mwikali says still astounded by the prowess of this beast.
"Still I am not entirely a fan of this nephew of yours. I personally have never met him. But then again if we gather a council to help in making decisions and secure some sort of allegiance with Portugal allowing for them to help defend Marrakesh and Safi then this should work. I believe Vanna can secure some more trade through the port and the Bornu of my kingdom, should they come will help bolster the troops and secure a better defense from renegade African forces." She says sticking a claw into a cube of meat and eating it.
Lady Vanna smiles at Mwikali and nods.
You have my word as a lady and a fellow Desert Jackal, Mwikali: I will do all I can to make sure our interests in Africa are advanced. I will serve as advisor and enforcer for the regent, and will insure that Marrakech and Safi benefit from an alliance with both Rome and Portugal, while also insuring religious and racial tolerance.
She lifts her goblet of wine and toasts: To a Free Africa!
An exploration of the cells surrounding and beneath the Arena of Death reveals six more gladiators, and several monsters in cages varying in size from small to gargantuan...
One freed gladiator, a she-orc named Daagnazzta, is more than willing to "make the sex" with Zagathoth the Conqueror!
In English: I'm ready to give you all the sex you can take, Lord Zagathoth! Take me, you big, hulking, bloody brute! *snort*