Not understanding as to what the man in front of him is saying, Volreg looks at the shell game with interest, fully focused on the movement of the shells. Eyes darting back and forth, he watches while hoping Altin chooses correctly.
Once the shells come to a halt, Altin nods. "Very tricky, good sir. I choose the middle shell, so I guess the pebble is under neither of these," and his hands dart forward to flip the outer two shells up, revealing what, if anything, is beneath them.
Mwikali looks about the crowd standing her hand on her spear as she was dressed in her more rugged travel attire. She smiled as she looked at the others and let Kiku rest on her shoulder.
"Marketplaces are always crowded. Too many bodies,.." She let it drift off as she comes over and look at the shell game and then to the man running it.
"You Shell man, Which way to the Caravansani, I and my companions are weary from our travels and wish to rest wash and eat."
Mwikali looks about the crowd standing her hand on her spear as she was dressed in her more rugged travel attire. She smiled as she looked at the others and let Kiku rest on her shoulder.
"Marketplaces are always crowded. Too many bodies,.." She let it drift off as she comes over and look at the shell game and then to the man running it.
"You Shell man, Which way to the Caravansani, I and my companions are weary from our travels and wish to rest wash and eat."
A woman speaks for you? the shell game man seems surprised... The refreshments are over there... the man gestures to a tent where chicken and goat meat is sold impaled on kabobs...
"I speak for myself first Shell Man." She says glaring at the man with burning intensity.Flashing her clawed hand and a gaze of death at him.
In Arabic: Heheheee!! A feisty one! She would fetch quite a price, I’d wager! Pretty to look at and full of fire! Hehehehee!
The shell game man leers salaciously at Mwikali...
Altin finds no pebble under the outer shells...
Aha! We have a winner! Your eyes are sharp, sir! Try again?
The center shell is lifted, revealing the pebble...
Noticing the exchange between the shell game man and Mwikali, Volreg steps in between the two and glared at both the woman and the man. "I don't know what is going on at the moment, but I don't like that look that you are giving my companion. Whether it is some sort of quarrel between you two from the past, or if someone said something to offend, it would best to not have a scene in public."
"Excellent! No, I think I'll just take my winnings and leave it at that," he smiles, holding out his hand.
"I am not for sale, I am NO ONE's PROPERTY!!"She says before she turns and looks over at the others and shakes her head.
"Arabs" She says quietly before she spits and almost white knuckles the shaft of her spear in anger. It would do nothing to kill this man. Even though she wanted to throttle them.
"Let us be done from here. Come I am famished and the prospect of the foodstall is more appealing to me than a pig devil playing with shells for cheap coin" She says as she begins to move from man and heads over to the Stall for a bit of meat and maybe lighter conversation.
I want no trouble! No trouble at all, sir! I was just admiring the beauty and spirit of your black-skinned woman... I am sure she is worth many camels!
[Dice=Perception]1d20+3
"Excellent! No, I think I'll just take my winnings and leave it at that," he smiles, holding out his hand.
Giovanna fixes a glare at the shell shuffler.
Aye, some food would be a good idea...come, Mwikali, let's forget this rabble. We have much to explore.
Jumping slightly at the woman's outburst, Volreg waits a moment before following Vanna and Mwikali to the food stall. Catching up to the women, Volreg tries to keep a few paces back while keeping an eye on them, and their surroundings. "I don't know what a camel is, but if is used in trade for people's lives, I don't want whatever a camel is," he mutters, while trying keep calm. 'I knew it! Mwikali IS scary when angry!'
"Camels are like horses of the desert, except uglier and like to spit" She said to Volreg with a slight laugh."They are the best animals for desert travel as they literally go miles without water, while the horse will have to stop more frequently." She says as she nods to Vanna.
"Yes food and exploration. Never know when a nice bit of fabric will catch one's eye. If it is nice enough I may even make us all matching cloaks." She says smiling as she walks with a spear out in hand. "As for your wine, you might find some. the Arabs are not much for drinking"
The caravanserai is crowded with dark complexioned people wearing robes and turbans, dining on grilled lamb kabobs, dates, goat cheese, olives, and various fruits and vegetables of the Dark Continent hitherto unknown to the young adventurers...
Some of the folk are drinking a hot, black liquid from mugs, which has a rich, invigorating aroma...
"Lets not eat where the shell man said, that to could be part of the trickers realm. Lets find our own place."
Says the little Lord.
"You know the shell game was invented by a Fey, Brimux Lemonerr, what a trixter"
Hmm...that smells like coffee...although they drink it differently here it seems. I should get some beans to take home...
the ones here seem more lively...vibrant.Vanna says as she looks around fir a coffee/tea merchant.
"Coff-ee, whats that?
He asks
Sulayman tails along with the group, buying a cup of coffee when he has the chance. He says to Perpireen, "Coffee my small friend, is the best thing the Turks ever did for this world." He takes a drink and smiles.
"It brews black, sometimes as dark as my skin, it is customary to offer it to your guests. The Bedouin people, Travels of the sands will take on guests in their homes and offer it as a means of old customs and laws.I believe the law of Hospitality. I was with them for only a week" She said as she nodded.
"Agreed the shell man was not a good man." She said still angered by the whole Camel comment.
Takes a sip.
"Interesting taste and very simulating. I must by some for my king."
And with that he gets a pound of beans. And into his magic cloak it gose
Making his way to the table, Volreg sits near Wulfgar and leans towards the man. "This is the furthest I have been from home, and everything is much different. The language, the beasts of burden, even the drink!" Motioning to the black water that his companions were carrying around, he continues talking quietly. "While I am not a God fearing man, this place makes me nervous. They talk to the women as if they are lower than animals, and seem to be fine with slavery. While it may be law of the land here, it doesn't sit well with me as to how they quickly they can change their minds about us and our companions." Taking a deep breath then exhaling, he sits up straight and looks at the others. "I am out of my element by hundreds of miles, so I do apologize if I do anything that may get us into trouble."
I know that the laws and customs fo this land are different from.what I remember. Archaic laws, and odd rules and such. Punishment here is oftern a death sentence.Vanna ssys over her cup of coffee.
Lands on the table and sites cross legged. he has a very small mug into which he has coffee.
"Could do with some honey in, make it a little sweeter."
He says, then an idea strikes him. He takes a tiny flask from his belt and tips some of the brandy onto the black coffee. he sips a little.
"NOW THAT IS A DRINK!"
He sips at it nods as Volreg talks.
"May I offer some advice Volreg. I have travailed a lot over many years. When in a new place, let it sock into you, like rain. The smells the sights the sounds. But always be yourself at the center of it all. By all means when in Rome do as the Romans but only to a point. So you being unhappy with local things is fine, but always be detached, to one side of it all. Here is not home, here the rules are not the same. You will not change it just by anger at it. See it, understand it and then move on. That is the way of the traveller"
he may have said all that a wee bit faster then normal, but as he is always fast in all he dose its hard to tell if its the coffee or just him being normal.
"Or I could be your reason, you could be my entourage, taking me to see Mwikali's queen. Which I would very much like to do. That way we could ask for hostility and also find out local news and information."
He sips some more of his drink.
Seated with others, Altin sips his coffee with pleasure. "The little lord might be on to something there. A diplomatic journey explains a lot of things, not least the diverse nature of our company."
"No disrespect intended, but I am a professional liar... er, diplomat. If deception is required, we'd do best to leave it to those who are good at it. Leave the swimming to the fish, the flying to the birds, that sort of thing."
"Appearances can be deceiving, my friend," Altin laughs. "She was a wolf, I was but the lamb. But yes, perhaps we'd do well to oufit ourselves a little more fashionably."
"Who said it would be a lie, I do indeed want to meet the Queen, we would just be taking the long way there that is all. Also if free any slaves they will need a safe haven, would not the land of Mwikali's Queen not be best. As for looking like lords, a diplomatic mission may need to NOT look like one for safety say. Again truth, we would then only need to lie if someone asked us specificity if where involved in you know what."
he says, siting back and looking at the sky.
"The devil's in the details, little lord. The fey know all about that, by all accounts. One who is telling the truth may occasionally have need to dissemble. That is my strength. The bow's just a fashion accessory, really," he smiles. "But again, I think your idea is a good one, and as you say, largely based in truth, which is the best foundation for any required falsehoods."
"I don't like the idea of non-truths, as they could get us into further troubles, but it may be one of the only ways for us to get further. Normally, I'm not that good as others concerning the craft of spinning tales," he sighs before continuing. "Money can be an issue, and aside from Mwikali's clothes, I don't think we have the money to go around a noble and hired help. Besides, I don't think they would like the fact that there would be a woman in charge of a group of men. I'm still angry at that shell game man."
Looks sideways at Volreg.
"I can tell, but my plan I think will work best. Traders need more money and stock, mounts and are willing to buy. Much more than my plan, which we can still do with no money. But if you want to put it to a vote in the Greek way we can."
I think the plan would work. Just havevto look more the part. Not many women around here wearing armor and brandishing a blade...but since we are outsiders...it should be an easy sell...
"My land has had many Queens and Kings, some strong some weak. Right now many via for the privilege to rule. Yet it would be under the influence of the Arabs. As for the Slaves, they would be welcomed, unless they are criminals. They would be put into servitude, to work off the debt or worse permanently." She says sipping coffee and giggling as she looks to McGibel.
"Yes, I love a bit of honey in my coffee now and then. Honey though is best reserved for a bath of milk and honey. it keeps the skin soft and plump, almost as if silk." She says before she goes back to the conversation.
"Noble would not be bad, but the diplomatic thing would be the best. As for you Vanna you could pose as my hired bodyguard and attendant? Stranger things are known in these kingdoms"
"Then we have it, a plan that will work"
He says standing
1 sp per cup, or 2 gp for a pound sack of ground beans.
Giovanna buys a coffee set(a cheap one for the road, pot kettle and etc.) and 2 bags of beans.
Now, let's see if we can get a deal on a camel or two. I suppose we can get a saddle and take turns riding it...a brief respite from the trek would be welcome. And a tent...I hear the desert can get cold and windy at night.
"We will need to secure some camels, Also fabric and tabards so we look like an official contingent." She said looking around.
" Or grab some clothes form a tailor that look similar, and I can do some cosmetic work" She said smiling. Drinking a bit more coffee.
It is not difficult to follow ones nose to the nearby stable where camels and fast Arabian desert horses are being sold by robe-and-turban-clad Bedouin nomads...
The stable is a patchwork of large, connected tents, under which some dozen camels and nine horses are sheltered...
About half a dozen dusky skinned Bedouin stable keepers haggle with about as many Berber customers over prices...