The guard fingers the tile several times and then looks up at Shang and Isa. He looks at Isa and then to Shang taking his time as he studies them. He looks back at Shang..."Where is your tile? He then looks to Isa..."And yours? No one can enter our encampment unless they are part of the guard or our Captain and our Master."
After a few moments of inspecting the tiles he turns back to his two obviously off-duty guards. "They carry caravan tiles!"
One of the guards looks at him and at the three strangers. "Then let them through if they want to be here it just means better conversation!"
The man turns back to the three of you and looks you up an down. "Follow them and find a place to sleep. Stay away from the wagons near the rock outcropping. Those are the master's merchandise."
Isa nods her thanks to the guard and retrieves her tile if it is offered. She then heads to a location away from the wagons, but still close enough to offer some security.
"I am concerned by whoever was in that sedan chair. It gave me the creeps..."
A shiver shakes her small body as she remembers the feeling.
"Perhaps getting out of town right now was a very good idea!"
'Well, we will be working with these men, no need to be strangers.' He extends his hand, the same way he had to Dinak. "I am Børak of Natla." He nods beside him, "This is my sword-brother Shang the Taikangian." Gesturing toward Isa "And our sister the healer Isa."
'Well, we will be working with these men, no need to be strangers.' He extends his hand, the same way he had to Dinak. "I am Børak of Natla." He nods beside him, "This is my sword-brother Shang the Taikangian." Gesturing toward Isa "And our sister the healer Isa."
Shang - Botted
"Thanks! I look forward to a warm fire and the hard ground to keep me warm. It is so much better than that horrible bed I was laying my head on at the villa." He turns and gives a wink to Borak.
As Isa says that last comment and the guard hands the three tiles back and waves you through Shang says under his breath.
"I think with the brotherhood on our heels and whoever was in that sedan it is probably best we let things cool here for a bit. Then we come back and put our mark on the place!" He pats Borak on the back and laughs.
'Well, we will be working with these men, no need to be strangers.' He extends his hand, the same way he had to Dinak. "I am Børak of Natla." He nods beside him, "This is my sword-brother Shang the Taikangian." Gesturing toward Isa "And our sister the healer Isa."
As the three of you move away from the guard on duty to the two men off duty the usher you in. Both men seem younger than the duty guard. One Zorabi man comes up to you an smiles... "It is good to have you my friend. It will make our travel that much easier!" He looks at Borak and then back to Isa... "Especially with him in tow. We don't get many Hill Men!" He puts his arm out in greeting to Borak and Shang as does the other man.
These men are probably only a few years older than the three of you.
'Shang certainly has a gift for stating the obvious.' Turning and grunting at Shang, Børak returns his gaze to the guard they encountered. 'Where is your tile? Ok he's diligent, I am nothing but patient.'
He stands for a moment his hand still outstreched, waiting for the guard to stop srutinizing his friends and respond in kind. Then the guard turns and yells over his shoulder. 'Of course we have tiles...The one telling him to let us through must be in charge.' Standing, almost commically in place, his hand extended. 'Follow them and stay away from the wagons? What does he think we are.'
Turning to Shang as he jests, he gives the swordsman his best scowl in responce to the wink and accepts the token in his still extended hand, wrapping his sausage sized fingers around the ceramic chit into a fist, eyeing the guard as he walks away. 'A bad omen, a bad omen indeed. When a hand is offered in friendship those who are wise accept it.'
He quickens his pace to catch up with his two friends headed to the camp. Muttering as much to himself as to his friends. "What kind of dogs does he think we are. Telling us to stay away from someone else's property." Realizing Isa was still concerned about the events in the city. He nods, "Yes when we get back to town we should quietly inquire as to who it was."
Dropping the chit into his pouch, he rests his hand with the other on the handle of his axe. Still surly from his encounter with the guard, Børak glares at the three men, not moving his hands from the handle of the axe gently resting on his shoulder. "Who is that idiot that inspected our caravan tiles?"
Shang-Botted
Borak catches up to his friends and when Borak whispers that to them he turns to the Hillman..."A guard dog...that is who. He nods in agreement to Borak's comment to Isa. "Aye...we should."
As they get to the three younger guards and Borak calls the guard out that stopped them he realizes quickly that Borak is not happy with how the man ignored his jester... Hill men...they have the subtlety of a broken bell.
The one that came up to you is a bit older than the two younger guards but not as old as the guard that stopped you. The two younger men are in light blue thoab and a greyish serwal and sandels. THey seem excited to see you but the third man seems mildly surprised by your arrival but lets the guard on duty get back to his duties.
Dropping the chit into his pouch, he rests his hand with the other on the handle of his axe. Still surly from his encounter with the guard, Børak glares at the three men, not moving his hands from the handle of the axe gently resting on his shoulder. "Who is that idiot that inspected our caravan tiles?"
Dropping the chit into his pouch, he rests his hand with the other on the handle of his axe. Still surly from his encounter with the guard, Børak glares at the three men, not moving his hands from the handle of the axe gently resting on his shoulder. "Who is that idiot that inspected our caravan tiles?"
Dropping the chit into his pouch, he rests his hand with the other on the handle of his axe. Still surly from his encounter with the guard, Børak glares at the three men, not moving his hands from the handle of the axe gently resting on his shoulder. "Who is that idiot that inspected our caravan tiles?"
The older man standing with the two younger men looks at Borak. He clearly doesn't want a confrontation with someone he will be working with (as well as noticing Borak's immense size) but clearly doesn't like Borak's words used about his comrade.
"His name is Idir and he and I have traveled to many cities for master Hamadras and my friend Dinak. Idir has kept many of our caravans safe from harm and danger. He has the eyes of a hawk and the good sense to go with them."
He looks over his shoulder to the inner circle and then back to the three of you and then turns to the two young men who stopped smiling and quickly look at you with straight faces at their senior's hard words. "Uzir take these three into the circle and get them a place to sleep and rest."
The young man nods and waits for the three of you to follow him and his friend.
'At least some of these Zorabi are civilized.' As the older man begins to speak, Børak releases the axhandle and accepts the hand offered from the young man which approached, intentionally keeping eye contact with the 'commander. 'Idir, we'll see about the 'good sense' As he shakes the hand of the excited young man, "I am Børak."
Releasing Uzir's hand he turns back to the speaker, "We shall see."
Nodding toward the young man, as if to make a point. "It's a bad omen to refuse a hand offered in friendship, especially from those you will be traveling with."
He begins to follow the young Uzir, 'that was obviously Dinak's second.' turning back to the speaker, he asks, "and what may we call you?"
Shang leans casually against the wagon, watching Börak interact with the mercenaries while trying to weigh up the quality of their likely combat skills.
Isa keeps herself mostly covered and says very little. The unwanted attention in town brought home the idea that she could still have people looking for her, and that she needed to keep a low profile.
She waits with Shang as Borak speaks to the guards, eager to get to their assigned spot and get some sleep. Tufnut winds himself in and out between her legs as if trying to hurry her on.
I feel safer here at least, he says as a casual aside. They may end up knifing me but they're our sort of people.
Uzir
The young man smiles but stops talking as Borak turns and comments to the older guard with them.
"That is Tizam! I am Uzir...well you know that don't you." He smiles again but turns to the young man to his side. He also smiles but doesn't say anything...more because he seems to know his companion will say everything that needs to be said. "This is Faza, my friend, we will get you settled."
Tizam
The older guard nods to Borak. "Get settled into the camp. If you are hungry or need drink our cook will have it for you. But hurry he will close it all up soon!" He turns to Idir and back Borak. The three of you see that the man they call Idir has resumed his duties and he no longer is looking into the camp but out into the torch light and scans the road that goes into the Dipur and away from it.
"Get them settled Uzir and stop chattering away like a white bloused serving girl!" He starts to walk back to the camp as well but on a different path into the circle.
Uzir
He hears Borak's comments about Idir's lack of a handshake. "Don't mind Idir he is a like a protective bull...he is more concerned with his duties than his manners. It will be fine. I will find you a place to sleep! Food and drink for your belly! It will be fine." He turns to look at Shang and Isa. "It is not common for us to have a women in our guard!"
He leads you into the camp cirlce. The three of you can see two wagons that are reinforced with iron and even the wheels are thicker. Both are covered with tarps of some sort and the guards seem to be quartered near those two wagons. Both of them sit against the rock formation to the west. You walk through a group of four more wagons...one is clearly for the cook and his servent and in front of it is a table and a cooking fire. On a spit is what is left of a roasted lamb. It actually smells very good. There are two platters on the table...naan, a bowl of figs, and a bowl of what look like fresh herbs and vegatables covered in oil and spices. It all smells good. You also see two pitchers and several cups sitting at the end of the table. The old man, clearly the cook, and his wife both have leather collars arond their neck and are in faded tan robes and sandels. They seem to be cleaning up the platters that are empty and the cups that are no longer being used. The other three wagons seem to be holding goods. The horses are roped off to the north of these wagons. Then there are two more wagons and a group of a camels (may a dozen). The drivers of the wagons and the drovers of the camels all seem to be camped near the wagons sitting in between the two groups of animals.
'Tizam? Uzir and Faza?' His eyes leaving the 'second in command' looking to their young guide then to his smiling friend. Børak looks back to Tizam, waiting to see if the man would give name or title himself. 'Get settled? No name or title, Letting this untested youth speak for him. I was wrong, these Zorabi have the manners of the Naathi, only the weak, untested or cowardly attempt to be civil.' Giving Tizam a scowl as he turns and walks away,
Børak, turns to Shang as they follow the boys, "Safer? Our sort of people?" speaking softly "Our sort of people accept a hand offered in peace." He spits in the sand, "And they don't let a child answer for them." He shakes his head, "A bad start, perhaps the little finch was wrong, perhaps we should have stayed at the villa."
'More talk about the fool Idir...not common for a woman? Hand shake or not this one best not get the wrong idea.' Looking from the boy to Isa, he bites his tongue waiting to see if the two youths show any disrespect to his sword-sister.
glancing at the camp as they walked past Børak looks for anything unusual without appearing to stare, waiting for the two boys to identify where they should put their gear.
Nodding politely to their two guides as they leave, Børak drops his rucksack and lays his axe on top. Carefully drawing out the red sash wrapped around the two knives, unwrapping them, he cautiously buries both hilt deep in the sand dropping the red sash beside. Turning to the others, "I will clean those momentarily, Isa would you mind looking at this knife wound?"
You get stitched... I'll grab us all the left overs and some wine
He makes his way to the cook.
I can smell your skill - we've a need of a feed if we can impose on you while you're not packed away... we will be rising early and two of my companions have already been blooded before the caravans beginning.
'Leftovers? We just ate.' Shrugging, Børak calls to his friend. "Just wine for me." Turning to Isa, as he sits so she can see the wound, "The wine will help me keep from flinching, I still don't like needles."
Isa takes out her healer's kit and begins to gather the necessary items needed to take care of Borak's wounds. When all the guards have left, she calls upon her priestly powers and uses *MAAT* to heal her friend.
Healing Hex:
She then turns the magic to her own wound.
Healing hex:
"There now that should keep you together for awhile!", she jokes as the spell removes all signs of the wound.
'I totally forgot about her wound.' Realizing Isa was preparing to use traditional methods as guard were near, he smiles when they leave and she heals him, then healing herself. Grunting, realizing she healed him before herself, he apologizes. "I'm sorry Isa, In the heat of the moment I forgot you were wounded as well." He then begins to look at the wound.
Each of you has a small scar but it is barely noticeable compared to what a wound that would have been tended to by traditional means and healed naturally.
As the three of you settle down for the night so does the rest of the camp. Sometime in the early morning hours, the guards change and all three of you awaken momentarily to see it. More on alert in your new environment it is hard to completely relax as the three of you are on alert of your immediate surroundings and the strangers you will call companions.
The camp is in a waking buzz as the guards start to awakan the drivers and the drovers. The cook and his wife are already working on a quick meal for the entire caravan.
Waking, but still feeling tired, Isa quickly dresses and repacks her things. She waits for the boys to awake before venturing forth to have something to eat. The use of *MAAT* uses up energy, and food is needed to keep her powers at their peak.
"Wake up sleepy heads. Can you not smell that delicious odour coming from the kitchen? Come...I am hungry and need my chaperones to accompany me!"
As you wish m'lady, Shang says rising and stretching gracefully.
How feel you brother?, he asks Børak.
Looking carefully at the scar, Børak nods in approval, "The scar's are proof of battles survived." He looks at the knives, "Sadly, that one brought no wealth only trophies." He sits down beside where he planted the blades, taking them out one at a time, carefully cleaning the poison off of them. Then taking the whetstone out of his pack he puts a razors edge on them. As it get's later in the evening he eventually strips off the armor, pulling out his blanket he lays his head on the rucksack and goes to sleep.
Chaperones? well, true enough,' Rubbing the stubble on his chin, Børak grunts"Give me a moment." turning to Shang, he rolls his neck and shoulder, "I feel like I slept on the ground." Taking a couple of moments for his morning ablution, he eventually tosses his blanket back in the rucksack and puts on his breastplate. Tucking the new knives in his belt, he looks at Shang, smiling. "You can never have too many knives, right?" Shouldering the rucksack and lifting his axe he nods, to Isa, smiling, giving a sweeping bow, "Mistress your escort is ready."
As the three of you awaken and pack you look around at the Caravan now that it is daylight. You see four naked male slaves (2 picts and 2 loading barrels of water, foodstuffs, ivory, and exotic woods into a set of four wagons with sheets of heavy brown canvas thrown across them to protect the cargo from the elements. Two other wagons have yellow and blue striped canvas covers and appear to be designed for passengers. These are the very same that are heavily reinforced. One of them the door is open and empty..it is obvious that the male slaves came from this wagon. Several of the slaves are cleaning out the wagon.
Hadramas sits in a large intricately carved wooden carriage with red curtains strapped to the back of a large elephant (16 to 20 feet tall). It has just arrived and entered the circle. He seems to be looking about inspecting his caravan as the two elephant drovers control the elephant. Dinak sits on a riding horse moving about barking commands to his guards who are in turn managing the drivers of the wagons. The elephant appears to be guided over to the slave wagons.
Rimas (Female Zadjute) and Cillian (Male Vulav) are already here helping load the cargo onto the wagons while several of the older guards ring the caravan enjoying a last drink before they head out while barking out orders. The Tharagain and the Zorabi walk up into the caravan. When Dinak sees them he moves his horse over to them and points to Hadramas. The two make their way to the Merchant Master as they do he calls out to Rimas and Cillian to go over there as well.
Dinak turns and seems to scan the area and then looks at you and moves his horse towards you. He rides up to the three of you and brings his horse to a full stop. "It is time to pass along your tiles and get your initial payments as promised. Once you do we will need to finish loading and securing all the wagons. We will also need to get scouts out ahead on the route and report back before we depart." He skillfully turns his horse and looks back... "Go get your gold and then go see Tizam."
2 slave wagons - reinforced with iron and even the wheels are thicker. Both are covered with tarps of some sort
3 more wagons - 1 one cook wagon and 2 supply wagons.
4 merchant goods wagons.
- 8 camels
- 2 spare riding horses
- 9 sets of work horses (4 each) for the wagons.
- 1 elephant with a luxury car on top.
Two other wagons have yellow and blue striped canvas covers and appear to be designed for passengers. These are the very same that are heavily reinforced. One of them the door is open and empty..it is obvious that the male slaves came from this wagon.
Seeing the slave wagons Børak grunts under his breath. "Slavers, no wonder so many guards are needed, we will need to watch for raiders without and slaves trying to escape from within." As he moves past the slave wagons, 'those two are Picts, very dangerous, they will make terrible servants.' He moves slower, looking carefully at the different slaves trying to identify the quality of threat they would pose.
'An elephant, I've heard about them but never seen one, I thought it would be bigger. Watching the elephant Børak notices Hadramas is headed toward the slave wagons. He nudges Shang, "I wonder what his interest is in the slaves."
Looking past Shang he notices Rimas and Cillian help loading supplies, he gives a quick smile and yells toward them When they look his way he lifts his right fist, placing it to his chest then lifting it again in salute. Seeing Dinak moving toward the Tharagain and the Zorabi the same time he sees them, Børak turns to his friends, "Well we are all here" Looking back out to the field, "And it looks like Dinak is coming to speak to us."
'Pass the tiles to Hadramas, help load and possibly scout... and report to Tizam. So we will answer to his second as well.' Nodding he understands, Børak turns toward the elephant, as he walks, he jests with his friends. "Do you think Hadramas will let us take the elephant out scouting?"
I doubt it brother... besides, they'd see you for miles... the idea, ideally, is to see and not be seen. I have no doubt we will have to sleep with an eye open... on that we agree. As for loading? Ha... there is no fun in that. We will tell this Hardramas we are cautious and need to scout instead.
Two other wagons have yellow and blue striped canvas covers and appear to be designed for passengers. These are the very same that are heavily reinforced. One of them the door is open and empty..it is obvious that the male slaves came from this wagon.
Seeing the slave wagons Børak grunts under his breath. "Slavers, no wonder so many guards are needed, we will need to watch for raiders without and slaves trying to escape from within." As he moves past the slave wagons, 'those two are Picts, very dangerous, they will make terrible servants.' He moves slower, looking carefully at the different slaves trying to identify the quality of threat they would pose.
[dice=perception]1d20+8
[dice=lore: military]1d20+4'An elephant, I've heard about them but never seen one, I thought it would be bigger. Watching the elephant Børak notices Hadramas is headed toward the slave wagons. He nudges Shang, "I wonder what his interest is in the slaves."
Looking past Shang he notices Rimas and Cillian help loading supplies, he gives a quick smile and yells toward them When they look his way he lifts his right fist, placing it to his chest then lifting it again in salute. Seeing Dinak moving toward the Tharagain and the Zorabi the same time he sees them, Børak turns to his friends, "Well we are all here" Looking back out to the field, "And it looks like Dinak is coming to speak to us."
'Pass the tiles to Hadramas, help load and possibly scout... and report to Tizam. So we will answer to his second as well.' Nodding he understands, Børak turns toward the elephant, as he walks, he jests with his friends. "Do you think Hadramas will let us take the elephant out scouting?"
The Picts seem to be commoners...and have been "civilized" Both have many scars on their back and the backs of their legs. They don't look like the wild savage Picts you have heard of. The other two mean are dark skinned Azimban from the far south. These men are tall, lithe, athletic looking unlike the picts who are squat, and built like stones. From the looks of the Azimban they must be more savage then civilized. They have that look but have also been clearly dociled. They to have the mark of the lash them.
The second wagon...the tarp is folded up to let fresh air in and tied to the side. You see sleve girls...young ones and very beautiful of all races. At least four...wait six...in total. They all appear to be naked but chained and well taken care of. They sit there eating from bowls of fruit that must have just been given to them.
Make up of the girls:
Taikangian; waist-length black hair; slanted eyes of the orient, lt.brown eyes; yellow milky complexion, short in height. Probably in her early twenties.
Adartani shoulder-length dk. black hair; hazel eyes; fair complexion; short in height, probably a older teenager.
Zamarian (Easterling); shoulder-length, med.brown hair; blue eyes; milky white complexion; average height and in her twenties.
Tharag Thulan; shoulder-length blonde hair; green eyes; fair complexion; tall and athletic and in her twenties...probably mid twenties.
Yeran ; short, dk. brown hair; light green eyes; tan complexion; the shortest of the group. A teenager herself and very beautiful.
Bhangari; shoulder blade length, dk. brown hair; dk. brown eyes; bronze complexion; average height and she is in her mid twenties...she appears strong and athletic.
Dinak sees you cast your gaze on the two slave wagons and gives you a momentary pause and turns and rides off.
The elephant is guided up about twenty feet away from the slave wagons and the three of you finish making your walk to that you are position between them.
A small man...a hooked nose Sushanite that is well dressed in silk robes comes around the elephant. He looks very official and behind him are two servents. One carrying a small stool and table the other carrying a small wooden box. The two servents set the small table and stool up in the shade of the tall elephant. They then proceed to open the box and lay out several clay tablets and stylas along with what looks like rose water. The scene is a bit ridiculous from the stand point of the scribe.
Hadramas sits in a large intricately carved wooden carriage with red curtains strapped to the back of a large elephant. He seems to appreciate being above you and the fray.
From the second wagon, a young womens voice calls out to the three of you. "Buy me mistress! I will make a good servent for you!" The accent is Zamarian.
Hadramas looks at your group and back to the wagon. Hadramas quickly yells at the women, “Shut up women! It is not time for you to be bought yet. That is to take place upon the public slave block in Arenjun during the festival where I can get the best price for you!"
Hadramas turns to your group, spreads his hands in mock innocence and explains, “In addition to being a simple merchant, I am also a slaver. The women slaves are to be sold in Arenjun. The men slaves, however, are my workers.” Almost as an afterthought, he says, “You know, a perk of working for a slaver is that you get to use any of the girls for free, unless she is a white silk virgin. Fortunately for you, I have no white silk girls and these need to be broken in for the block!" He grins, sips wine from a silver goblet, and closes the curtains around his carriage. "The scribe will take your tiles and pay you our agreed on amount."
Isa does everything she can to remain calm.
A slaver! If I had known I would never have agreed to this! And to offer one of the girl slaves to the men for 'sport' is barbaric!
While slavery was always a part of her home, she never truly cared for it, and now seeing the slaves and how they are treated, she likes it even less.
She looks at her two companions to gauge their reactions.
Sense Motive:
Shang never really saw the point in paid for affection, though he'd indulged in it from time to time, and he saw even less in abusing a slave... especially in this manner. He preferred his women free and willful.
The marks left by his old paramour went deep - balls to bone in fact.
He did his best to keep his expression neutral but was slightly disappointed by this Hadramas. He seemed petty and sadistic. That said slavery and debtors servitude was common enough in his own lands. These women were not family and the only loyalty he owed to any here apart from his allies, were to the slaver rather than the slaves.
He settled for diverting his gaze to the exterior of the camp, looking for threats.
'So the Picts have been beaten into submission.' Børak turns and spits, 'I'd heard better of them, I guess they were wrong.' He pauses for a moment, 'I've not seen a black man up close, but these have been 'civilized' as well, a pity.' Moving past the second wagon, he unintentionally slows, taking in each figure, attempting to guess race by appearances. 'Six beautiful woman, all different, each a credit to her race,'' He smiles to himself, 'They would make a fine harem.' Turning from the woman he sees Dinak watching him. 'And a fine profit for Hadramas and his man Dinak I think.'
As they near the elephant, Børak cracks his joke about 'borrowing it' 'Idea is to see...? Børak looks to see if his sword-brother is speaking with a straight face or not. 'I may need to explain to Shang the different forms jesting.' As Shang continues, Børak nods in agreement. "Yes sleep with one eye open, we may even want to set our own guard." He nods slightly towards the slave wagons. "The problem with slavers is you never know if they will decide your better merchandise than employee." then at a normal voice, "I agree I'd rather scout than load wagons." He looks towards the direction Dinak had ridden, then towards the elephant. The idea of laying down my axe to lift boxes and present my back to them is truly distasteful."
A Sushanite major-domo why am i not surprised.' Looking from the scribes servants as they set up the table to the merchant, 'He does seem to enjoy the view, and Shang was right, he probably wouldn't let us borrow it to scout.' smiling to himself. he hears the Zamarian girl cry out, 'That must be the one with the brown hair and porcelain skin, why does she cry out and not the others.' Børak mentally pictures the girl as Hadramas yells at her, 'And a fine price she will fetch, no wonder he is willing to pay us so much.'
Returning his attention to their employer, 'It is wise to diversify, what is the saying , 'do not put all your eggs in one basket'...A perk? I wonder if that is the reason the two street-rats wanted to work for him...' Giving a light nod of the head, Børak calls to Hadramas "As you say." He then turns towards the scribe, looking about to see if the other four mercenaries had joined them yet. 'I will not bother even trying to introduce myself to this one.' He draws the chit from his belt and places it on the table, reaching out to the scribe for the money.
'We need to talk.' Moving toward where he thought Tizam would be, Børak spoke softly "Scouting would be nice, I would like to hear both of your thoughts away from curious ears."
The other four mercenaries make their way up to gather beside you. Each one of them nods in your direction as a quick gesture of greetings. Hadramas greets them as does the hook nose scribe. One of Dinak's younger guards comes forward (Faza you believe) with a leather bag that is tied and knotted. HE places it on the table by the scribe and the Susrhanite man nods and waves him away in a very official manner. The young guard turns looks the group over and seems to make a weird look as he turns back and walks off.
The young guard seems to recognize someone in the group...not the three of you because he was not staring directly at you. One of the other four.
But his look was more telling...as if perplexed at whoever it was and why...or something like that. The look was out of place.
As you look at their reactions to the slaves...you notice the Tharag Thulan's disgusted look as he turns from the wagons to the scribe after giving you a nod. His eyes as well as his companions dart away from your gaze and the direction of the elephant...or desk for moment until the guard walks away. Then the scribe calls out..
The scribe clears his throat and calls out to your small group.
"Tiles...lets get this transaction completed." By that time he finishes Borak has his tile on the desk.
The small hook nosed man looks up at the Hillman...mouth in agape. "Well, you would certainly make a fine guard." He looks at a clay tablet and seems to review it. "fifteen gold for you." He looks up at Isa and Shang and back down to his clay tablet. "Your two companions if they have their tiles as well." He opens the bags in preparation and begins counting out gold coins. He gets to fifteen and puts them on the table in three stacks of five precisely stacked and straight. He then slides them towards Borak. He then takes the tile and places it in a small box and on another clay tablet that appears to be wet he writes down several things on it. He looks up at Borak and then back to the coins as if to say Take them and go. "Next."
'A fine guard?' He smiles looking at the scribe. 'Dogs make good guards, so these Zorabi are fit for it. I'm a wolf compared to them.' He looks up to Hadramas and nods. 'We should be looting this arrogant fool.' He scoops up the money, pulling his purse from inside his breastplate, as he turns away from the table. 'Their lucky we agreed to take their money, or it may have been us they were guarding against.' He bites one of the gold coins testing it's metal; satisfied, he puts them in his purse tucking it back inside his breastplate.
While Shang and Isa collect their pay, he steps over to the other four mercenaries, adjusting the Pesh kabz with his left hand and the khanjar with his right so they were clearly visible. " So who had wagered on the fight last night? I hope I made someone money." He gives a wolfish grin. "These knives belonged to that old man leading them, The one I cut in half." His smile widens, "One cannot have too many knives right?"
'Which of these four did the boy recognize?' Looking at the four, Børak tries to sort out which of them may have known the boy.
Shang smiled slightly as Børak indulged in his customary pissing contest.
He remembered when Børak did it with him back when they first met. Truth be told he'd been truly apprehensive when the Hillman punched a camel that spat at him into unconsciousness. He sent a message there too. The same one he was sending now by referring to his gory victory the night before.
Do NOT f!&@ with me.
As for his own introductions? He preferred to be quiet and like water, shapeless and without form to be planned for or anticipated. He found that with true professionals it sent a message of its own. As for those who didn't understand and tried to act outside of proper bounds? They could be useful as an example.
Shang bowed slightly to his employer high on the beast.
Borak has identified a risk to the east... , he said, his manner respect but words tinged with a tone of mild anxiety.
I agree with him. If bandits were to be scouting us... apart from having an inside man of course, that is the place they might scout from. We wish to start our efforts immediately - by your leave of course Lord?.
His lies flowed like oil, and was smooth as honey.
Isa hands in her clay tablet while trying to stay out of the notice of the other guards. She tries to keep a low profile as much as possible.
'A fine guard?' He smiles looking at the scribe. 'Dogs make good guards, so these Zorabi are fit for it. I'm a wolf compared to them.' He looks up to Hadramas and nods. 'We should be looting this arrogant fool.' He scoops up the money, pulling his purse from inside his breastplate, as he turns away from the table. 'Their lucky we agreed to take their money, or it may have been us they were guarding against.' He bites one of the gold coins testing it's metal; satisfied, he puts them in his purse tucking it back inside his breastplate.
While Shang and Isa collect their pay, he steps over to the other four mercenaries, adjusting the Pesh kabz with his left hand and the khanjar with his right so they were clearly visible. " So who had wagered on the fight last night? I hope I made someone money." He gives a wolfish grin. "These knives belonged to that old man leading them, The one I cut in half." His smile widens, "One cannot have too many knives right?"
'Which of these four did the boy recognize?' Looking at the four, Børak tries to sort out which of them may have known the boy.
[dice=perception]1d20+8
[dice=sense motive]1d20+1
[dice=knowledge: military]1d20+4
It would seem the young guard recognized and then looked away from the Zorabi and Tharagain men. Not sure who specifically of the two.
You notice nothing in any of the mercenaries' demeanor or behavior at this point. No clue to military-style, equipment, or mannerisms in general.
The knives are not special in any way. However in your search of the body - pottery vial with a stopper made of cork and tied shut. A small pouch - had 32cp, 21sp, and 9gp (all Dipurian Gold). Silver Braclet and a Silver Armband (no engravings).
The Zorabi man nods and smiles. "We did. I made nearly 25 silver off your performance. My Tharagian friend made nearly has much. Many of the locals in that place thought those cutthroats were going to take you. I wasn't to sure and then he told us a story of the Hillman's battle prowess and my bet was made."
He then looks to Shang and Isa and back to Borak. "I am Asur! And this one is Gunnolf."
Gunnolf looks at the knives. "The knives are ok. It is good to keep the trophies of those you have defeated. It pleases the gods and wards you against fear." He then looks at Borak eye to eye. "The killing blow was impressive and he died a good death."
Hamadras
Hamadras listens to the back and forth below and seems interested in the back and forth between the two tall men.
When Shang chimes in he turns to him as he sips from his wine.
The merchant seems to ponder Shang's comment for a bit and then looks to Dinak and then he spots Tizem and looks back to Shang and Borak.
"Inform Tizam of your suspicions and if he and Dinak agree then you may go. Dinak handles the security of our caravan." He then sips his wine and then looks up Shang. "However, we have had bandits attacking caravans and travellers along this route lately... I will say something to him."
Each person in the group offers their tile to the scribe and in turn each receives their agreed on initial payment.
Shang, Isa, Borak, Rimas, and Cillian receive 15gp's while Gunnolf and Asur receive 10gps. As the scribe finishes he seems to note every transaction on the clay table. Once concluced he pulls forth two seals and stamps the clay tablet with both. He presents it to Hamadras he seems to look it over carefully and then pulls his ring off his left hand and hands it to the scribe who places the tablet back on the small portable table and uses it to make the final stamp.
The Susrhanite man places the tablet in some sort of cloth and puts into the box along with everything else. He then secures the bag of remaining coin and hands it to Hamadras. The scribe's servents begin packing up the table, chair, and pick up the boxes. The scribe then turns to Hamadras. "This concludes our transaction I will give these to the guild master to place in his record hall." He turns and tells his servents to leave and then walks away. Following them to the edge of the south road where a litter is waiting.
The knives are not special in any way. However in your search of the body - pottery vial with a stopper made of cork and tied shut. A small pouch - had 32cp, 21sp, and 9gp (all Dipurian Gold). Silver Bracelet and a Silver Armband (no engravings).
'Hmmm the boy was looking at the two from the black wolf company, I wonder how he recognized them.' Hearing the two 'Black wolfs' respond Børak smiles, 'Asur and Gunnolf.' nodding his head in agreement with Gunnolf "A better death than he intended for me, the blades were poisoned." Extending his hand. "I am Børak. Later around the fire, I would hear of the 'Black Wolf Company.' I've not been south long enough to know of their exploits."
' Børak has Identified?' Breathing a nearly imperceptible sign, Børak looks from Shang to the merchant, then back to the other mercenaries. "We left last evening before we had a chance to meet." Reaching his hand out to the tall young Vadim, "I hope your evening went well." After greeting the Vulav, His eyes shift to the lean dark haired Rimas moving from the weapons on her waist, up the armor, her lean neck and dark eyes. He extends his hand. "A pleasure Rimas, I am Børak, I had intended to make your acquaintance last evening, but the omens had something else in store for me and mine."
'I did not realize the merchant guild would be so ....thorough.' As the scribe shuffles to his litter, Børak moves with Isa and Shang toward where they saw Tizam. Turning toward Shang, lowering his voice, "I know you desire for me to get better at hiding the truth. But putting that lie on me is like teaching a child to swim by throwing him in the water. What do I tell Dinak if he asks me what I saw?" He looks to Isa, his eyes wide, hoping she will share some wisdom.
The knives are not special in any way. However in your search of the body - pottery vial with a stopper made of cork and tied shut. A small pouch - had 32cp, 21sp, and 9gp (all Dipurian Gold). Silver Bracelet and a Silver Armband (no engravings).
'Hmmm the boy was looking at the two from the black wolf company, I wonder how he recognized them.' Hearing the two 'Black wolfs' respond Børak smiles, 'Asur and Gunnolf.' nodding his head in agreement with Gunnolf "A better death than he intended for me, the blades were poisoned." Extending his hand. "I am Børak. Later around the fire, I would hear of the 'Black Wolf Company.' I've not been south long enough to know of their exploits."
' Børak has Identified?' Breathing a nearly imperceptible sign, Børak looks from Shang to the merchant, then back to the other mercenaries. "We left last evening before we had a chance to meet." Reaching his hand out to the tall young Vadim, "I hope your evening went well." After greeting the Vulav, His eyes shift to the lean dark haired Rimas moving from the weapons on her waist, up the armor, her lean neck and dark eyes. He extends his hand. "A pleasure Rimas, I am Børak, I had intended to make your acquaintance last evening, but the omens had something else in store for me and mine."
'I did not realize the merchant guild would be so ....thorough.' As the scribe shuffles...
As the three of you walk to Tizam the entire group falls in line with you. Borak's quick assessment of the group is that Gunnolf and Asur are more experienced than the young couple. Gunnolf is quiet and seems to watch your group and the other two as much as you are watching them. He is probably your age or just a bit older. You notices he looks back to the direction of the wagons and the elephant a few times. Asur seems to be watching both your group and the young couple but also Gunnolf. He seems to chat with Gunnolf but the man only nods to him but Asur seems to treat him like a close friend. Vadim and Rimas are an interesting couple both are young...younger than the three of you but they appear to be capable and skilled. The way they hold close to each other tells you something of their sleeping arrangements.
Going to spin a tale so we can break off to speak privately, Shang explains to the trio in a low voice. Be off to one side a bit, looking to east but say nothing...
He goes to find this... Tizam?
Greeting Captain, he says giving the man a differential title despite the size of the band.
I am Shang, I just spoke to our Caravan master. There is concern of a possible threat to the East. He advised he was fine for us to scout it out as long as we reported to you first
(plus any bonuses you may or may not give]
'Break off privately.' Giving his sword brother a nod, Børak moves out of the path of the others and stops. Raising his hand to his eyes, 'How did Detlef say it? "Put your hand down little brother." He smiles to himself as he continue his charade looking to the east.