The Deaconess shifts uncomfortably upon her feet. "Yes, I do understand your dilema, and I can assure you the Haty-a knows what is best for Sothis." She sighs for a moment, before tapping the list she is carrying and mutters to herself.
"Okay. I will do everything within my power to ensure that you can talk to the Haty-a in the morning. Give me one more day and you will be granted your audience."
Not having much to lose, the Falcons return early the next morning.
Today, it is not Deaconess Sekek that greets you but another member of the Temple. "I suppose that you are the group here to see the Haty-a. Follow me." They say, curtly.
He leads you through the Foyer, that opens up into a large room with walls clad with gold, with script carved into them. He leads you through a side door, and knocks on a door, opens it and ushers you in. "Here they are Haty-a, I will wait outside the door." He nods his head slightly, before exiting and closing it behind him.
Deka An-Keret stands at the edge of her table, hands clasped behind her back and looks at you sternly. "I hear that you are seeking entrance to the Spiral Archive of the Inner Sanctum. What are you wishing to research there?"
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Say'ri, who has now slain three crocodiles in the reed beds of Tephu and is awaiting a local artisan to finish some lovely new crocodile skin boots, practises her diplomacy by leaving it up to the more charming members of the party to speak. Better that than she blow the interview they've worked so hard on gaining.
Uthe moves forward, her tail swishing back and forth causing the bells to jingle. She looks the woman up and down before tipping her head respectfully. "We believe that the city may be facing danger that involves the Sky Pharaoh. So we'd like to discover whatever we can about Hakotep I." She shrugs her shoulders. "Our research has led us to the Spiral Archive."
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"You have no doubt heard of the troubles in Wati." Say'ri continues, placing a reassuring hand on Uthe's lower back, out of the Haty'a's eyeline. "We are commanded not to speak of the details, but our research is directly related to it. Please, in the name of Pharasma's temple and the people of Wati, allow us to do our research."
"I can assure you that Tephu is facing no danger and our people's livelihoods are abundant and fulfilling. I am sorry, but I need to decline your request to enter the Spiral Archive since you have -"
Deka stops abruptly, mid-sentence as the door flies open and a young woman dressed in simple white cloth, most likely a slave, enters and prostrates herself on the floor in front of the governor. "I enter to deliver a message immediately."
Deka motions for the woman to rise and approach her, taking her to one side of the office and speaks in hushed tones with the message-bearer.
Deka lets out a resigned sigh and abruptly leaves the room, with no farewell.
"I can assure you that Tephu is facing no danger and our people's livelihoods are abundant and fulfilling."
"I apoligize for noting this, as I'm sure your wisdom eclipses mine. However, I'm fairly confident a similar sentiment is what made the government of Wati unable to prevent or adequately respond to the recent undead uprising there. A popular Taldan saying is that they were caught with their pants down. Many died, to say nothing of the damage to the town itself. Sebti herself was forced to rely on the Falcons to handle the mateer - this group of adventurers. Does that not speak of their valor or good intent? What risk or cost is there to allow us to research more on how this could have happened, under supervision if we must?"
Adol sighs after the priestess has left and the group is left behind at her office. "Well, I'm glad, at least, that Tyla isn't here. She'd have no doubt used this opportunity to illegally search the office and forge access papers to the archive, or something similarly underhanded. Luckily, I don't have to worry about that anymore and we can now look more into this local noble and why she has so much power over her. I think I'll go and ask around a bit," he says, and makes to exit the room.
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Say'ri has sharp ears and although she doesn't try to overhear the conversation between the Haty'a and the slave she can't really avoid doing so.
"Interesting." She says quietly. "Muminofra has just summoned the Haty'a; and given how quickly she left I'd say the power definitely isn't with the Haty'a. We might be able to use that."
"If Haty'a won't give us permission to enter the Spiral Archive then we shall ... what is the phrase? Go over her head?" Uthe questions with a shrug of her shoulders. "And if that doesn't work, we shall resort to less honest means." She nods in Adol's direction.
Having decided to give up with the Haty-a, the Falcon's follow Uthe's suggestion and head towards the visiting noblewoman; the only woman in Tephu who can overule the Haty-a for permission to the Inner Sanctum.
The Palace of Gentle Reeds sits on an estate outside Tephu’s Old City on the banks of Wadjet’s Walk, the canal that flows through the city. The estate and palace are reserved for the use of the pharaoh, or more usually, his official representatives—such as its current resident, Muminofrah of Sothis.
A great palace towers over the canal, fronted with a palisade of beautifully painted pillars in dazzling colors. In front of the palace, moored to a magnificent marble quay, a luxurious river barge wallows in the turbid waters of the canal. Between the barge and the palace, a makeshift camp of colorful tents and stalls has sprung up, creating a small village worth of bustling activity. There are countless traders and petitioners bearing trade goods and gifts waiting for the opportunitiy.
As you first approach the palace, three hefty tanned guards wearing heavy armor and carrying scimitars halt you in your tracks.
"State your reason for your presence."
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"The reason for our presence?" Uthe replies quizzically. "What a strange way to phrase a question. Your language is full of peculiarities like that. To answer literally would be that the reason for our presence is that our parents mounted and after the proper course of gestation we were born - the same reason that anyone would have. But we would imagine that your question would more specifically be why are we attempting to enter the palace?" She blinks her golden eyes at the guard that addressed them. "We are agents of the city of Wati, sent to investigate a threat that may put Tephu in grave danger and we need to speak to Her Excellency Muminofrah of Sothis."
The guards look at each other and then step aside, allowing you to pass between them. A gangplank leads up from the quay to the deck of the pleasure barge. Brightly painted and trimmed with shining gold, the barge’s polished wooden planks gleam in the sun. Toward the stern of the vessel, painted and gilded columns support a silken canopy, shading a pyramid-shaped dais heaped with cushions that rises from the barge’s deck. Sheer curtains between the pillars stir slightly in the weak breeze along the canal.
The barge is inundated with courtiers, guards, slaves, and servants. Wealthy citizens and members of the local aristocracy sit upon cushions on the deck, beneath huge parasols held up by eunuchs. A lion is tethered to each of the four corner pillars, each watched by a guard holding a huge whip. Scantily clad slaves move silently through the gathering, bearing trays and pitchers of refreshments for the guests. A heavyset woman dressed in revealing silks and wearing a gold headdress lounges atop the pyramid, almost lost in the vast mountain of cushions.
Her Excellency Muminofrah of Sothis looks the Falcons up and down as they approach, fanning herself languidly with a single ostrich feather as she appraises the new meat on her fine vessel. Silence falls as the entire miniature court holds their breath, waiting to see what happens next.
Jazadi looks back and forth between Muminofrah and the rest of the Falcons before clearing her throat.
"Your Excellency, we have come a long way and passed many trials to seek your Wisdom. Would you be so kind as to grant us an audience?" She asks with a curtsy.
Uthe's confidence holds until they cross the gangplank onto the barge. In a seemingly casual fashion she takes Say'ri's arm as they board the large vessel. The gunslinger can feel the tension in the sorceress' arm, though. The bells on her tail tinkle merrily as it swishes back and forth in abrupt movements. Her eyes move nervously from one side of the barge to the other and all the water that surrounds them. Those same eyes narrow when she sees the captive lions and her grip on Say'ri's arm tightens.
Knowing nothing of the habits of nobility nor of the etiquette involved in dealing with them, she remains silent as Jazadi speaks.
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"Stay calm kitten. We'll be gone again soon." Say'ri whispers. She can't stroke Uthe with all the eyes on them but she does rest a hand on the amurrun's arm for a moment
Say'ri catches Muminofrah's glance, divines its meaning and shifts subtly to try and position herself behind Adol. Something about the woman's gaze makes her shudder inside and her hand itches to raise her hood and shield her burns from the onlookers.
But she can't. To betray weakness now would be more dangerous than anything else. So she stays quiet and inclines her head respectfully as Jazadi speaks.
Feeling Say'ri and Uthe linger behind him, and trusting them and Jazadi to be more aware of local traditions than he was, he paces forward to stand beside the archeologist and performs a crisp bow to the local ruler.
He tried not to portray that in truth, he cared little for the excess shows of power and wealth around them. In his experience, those who revelled in it had rarely earned it themselves, and even less did it honestly over their own backs.
"It is an honor to be allowed in your presence. These women are The Falcons, the group that recently saved Wati from the undead invasion that plagued the town. We've come seeking your blessing regarding matters of great import. Great Muminofrah, would you hear their words and aid them in their quest?"
Muminfrah's gaze shifts between both Adol and Jazadi, back and forth, her lip curling in amusement as she is clearly making some calculations before waving one of her ring-laden hands to a pile of ground cushions in the shade.
"You will join our gathering for the time being." She states. A slave appears at your sides immediately and Muminofrah's attention redirects to her previous conversation and the party seems to restart around you. The slave offers you some refreshments and encourages you towards the cushions.
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Say'ri's lips thin, but knowing what she does of Muminofrah she decides it's better not to risk provoking the noble woman.
"She has a reputation for being generous or cruel by turns." She explains softly to the rest of the group once the music will cover their conversation. "Will throw you to the crocodiles if you displease her but once gave a poet his weight in gold and raised a slave girl to a noblewoman. If we impress her I'm sure she'll give us access, the question will be what she wants in exchange. Best behaviour everyone."
With the warning passed on she focuses her attention on Uthe, well aware that her girlfriend is going to need some help keeping her calm here.
"What will impress her then?" Uthe whispers quietly, her eyes watching the capricious noblewoman. Her tail continues to betray the tension she feels. "Do we have any idea about what she would find intriguing?"
Once you are seated on the deck and the party commences, slaves come on deck to serve a tagine of River Sphinx perch cooked with olives from huge silver tureens, along with grapes, huge loaves of bread, and copious amounts of barley beer and mint tea.
Coyly batting her eyelashes, Muminofrah's gaze turns back on you all, fixing itself on Adol specifically. "Please, come and join me for this meal, you will sit here." She lets out a little giggle.
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Say'ri nudges Adol forwards with her hip, subtly relieved that the noble is focusing her attention on him. She makes a point of sitting on Muminofrah's right, so that the scarred side of her face is not visible - the noble seems like the kind of woman who would either be offended, or would ask questions Say'ri has no intention of answering.
She eats sparingly and avoids the barley beer entirely. Clear heads may be required for what is to come...
"Tell them I did my duty," Adol mutters to Say'ri, feeling an inexplicable feeling of dread overcome him even though he'd stood against hordes of the dead unflinchingly.
Then, he stands and forces a smile at the Muminofrah. He strides forward, the scorching midday sun shining from his plate mail, and takes the offered seat to her left. "A kind offer, and the meal looks and smells quite delectable, My Lady. Is this a special occasion of sorts?" he asks, trying to engage in some polite conversation.
Muminofrah bats her eyelashes coyly as Adol sits next to her.
"Why, you look like such a strong and capable fellow." She says, placing a be-ringed hand on Adol's arm. "Wearing all that armor in such heat, and not even a bead of sweat. That's a shame, I'd love to see your muscles... glistening with oil. Why..." She waves a hand and one of the slaves lowers the fan to waft air across her face faster. Muminofrah shivers a little, either in coolness or delight.
"So, tell me, My Warrior. What would make your heart sing? What can I offer to such a fine specimen of masculinity?"
She doesn't seem to even notice the Falcons, her attention completely focused on Adol.
Muminofrah bats her eyelashes coyly as Adol sits next to her.
"Why, you look like such a strong and capable fellow." She says, placing a be-ringed hand on Adol's arm. "Wearing all that armor in such heat, and not even a bead of sweat. That's a shame, I'd love to see your muscles... glistening with oil. Why..." She waves a hand and one of the slaves lowers the fan to waft air across her face faster. Muminofrah shivers a little, either in coolness or delight.
"So, tell me, My Warrior. What would make your heart sing? What can I offer to such a fine specimen of masculinity?"
"That is... both descriptive and flattering, My Lady, and thank you for the compliment," He give a courteous bow from his seated position along with a polite smile. "As for your question, truth be told I used to be a pathfinder. A seeker of old lore and other secrets of the world, among other things. I came here, orginally, to study the famed Spiral Archive. Alas, great was my disappointment when my request to enter was denied. Thus, I'm afraid the stay of my friends and I in this town might be a short one..."
He looks away, wistfully. If *only* someone had the power to help them!
Uthe watches the interchange between Adol and the noblewoman with narrowed eyes. Unable to restrain herself, she leans in close to Say'ri.
Jazadi opts to take a seat and be as unobtrusive as possible. The mere fact that she was in the centre of a particularly decadent gathering was uncomfortable enough for her.
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"Well we can't have that can we?" Muminofrah cries. "Someone get the Hat-ya here at once. Whatever little games she's playing simply won't do!"
The Hat-ya appears as though summoned, which of course she was, and bows to Muminofrah. "How may I serve the Ruby Prince?" She asks.
"Doka. You will provide My Warrior here with access to the Spiral Archives." Muminofrah says grandly, laying one bejewelled hand on Adol's arm. "He wants to see all the knowledge we have collected and I want him to have whatever he wants!" She gives another smile. "Have three days My Warrior. Then you must come and visit me again. We can't allow our love to be spoilt by musty paper can we?"
The Hay-ta keeps a smooth countenance and bows again. "As the Ruby Prince commands. He may enter in the morning, I will inform the custodians at once." She takes advantage of the situation to dismiss herself and backs away while Muminofrah is still clinging to Adol.
"Doka is a good girl but so boring." The noblewoman says, in a tone that is meant to be intimate but still carries. "Not like you My Warrior. Tell me a story of your prowess, entertain me!"
The Spiral Archive is located below the Great Library’s Outer Sanctum, past the trapped door of the eye (area A5) and down the limestone stairs, and the next morning the Falcons find themselves not exactly welcomed, but expected. The curators in the Outer Sanctum give directions, and information about some of the Spiral Archive’s guardians - mentioning a bound demon who may be bypassed by showing their signed letter of access, and the possibility that some sort of 'invisible spirit' may be encountered below. They also go into great detail over the Archive rules, which are numerous, include an absolute prohibition on food and drink and conclude with. "Anyone attempting to remove materials from the Archive will suffer the Hom-Dai." They don't go into any more detail but exchange significant looks. "There are no other visitors so your time should be quiet and swift." One curator notes.
The walls of the first, hexagonal chamber are covered with scribbles carved into the stone. Lit with regularly spaced continual flames illuminate a brown, shaggy-furred beast which stands on slate grey hooves. Its head resembles that of a maniacal horned ape and its mouth twists in an expression of glee until the Falcons produce their signed letter. With a resentful frown the creature retreats to the wall to allow you access.
Continuing down a long curved passage a small reading room appears on your left. There is a woman in there, reading a scroll by the light of a single burning lamp...
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Say'ri reads the Hat-ya's expression easily enough and whispers softly to Uther.
"I hope we don't ever come back here. The Hat-ya is going to hate us for this, no matter that its Muminofrah's fault.
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The 'Hom Dai' sounds unpleasant and Say'ri does her best to look respectful and assure the curators that their books will be perfectly safe, while resolving to keep an eye on Jazz - just in case.
In the archives themselves she holds out a hand to stop Adol, who is leading the group.
"We're supposed to be the only people here..." She says slowly. "We should talk to her, but carefully."
Uthe looks at Say'ri and then at the woman reading the scroll. Taking her girlfriend's words as a call to action, she strides forward to approach the other patron of the library.
"Excuse us," she says in a lowered voice - the sanctity of the library must be preserved, after all. "We were informed that we were the only guests here. What information are you seeking?"
The woman starts violently and Uthe is sure she catches a faint hissing sound as the woman straightens and places a hand on her heart before turning around.
"You startled me." She says, her dark skin a little flushed in the lamp light. "I.. err... I'm here researching something called the Ureus Ring. I'm a collector you see." She holds out her hands and Uthe can see they are indeed bedecked with numerous rings. "I... err... yes. I'm not strictly meant to be here but I just want to do my research and leave in peace. There's no need to inform the librarians."
She looks from face to face and then brightens. "How about a deal? You give me a new ring for my collection and promise not to tell the librarians about me and in return I'll take you into the archive proper. There's a nasty spirit of some sort guarding it, but it's learned not to bother with me so you'll all be able to avoid an unpleasant encounter. How does that sound for a deal?"
She seems rather hopeful that the situation can be resolved without appeal to external forces.
"We are unable to provide you with a new ring, but perhaps one that we have had for some time?" Uthe questions. Her tail flips up into her hand with a tinkling of bells and she pulls a brass ring from the end. The metal is cast as to appear to be composed of feathers.
"Would this suffice?" she asks, gazing at the woman through the loop of the ring.
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Say'ri raises an eyebrow at the woman but doesn't see any major reason to distrust her.
"Will this do?" She asks, pulling out a ring of polished brass. "It was forged in the Gunworks of Alkenstar. I doubt many have ever made it as far as Osirion."
Thankfully Uthe gets there first and Say'ri pockets her ring once more, secretly glad to not have to give it up. Class rings from the Gunworks are the very first smithing test, so it isn't valuable in the slightest, but the sentimental value is enough that she's glad to hold onto it.
Jazadi keeps quiet as Say'ri and Uthe take the social lead.
The cloaked woman's top lip curls with displeasure slightly, as she examines Uthe's ring. "I suppose this will do." Slipping it onto her slender fingers, she gazes at it from all angles, twisting it around her little finger before turning. "Stay close behind, you wouldn't want the spirit picking off any stragglers." She states with amusement sounding in her voice.
Following closely behind her, you are confronted with a stone statue depicting clouds or billowing mist shaped into a humanoid form stands in the middle of this winding corridor that turns abruptly back upon itself in a series of switchbacks.
"Here we are." The woman gestures. "You'll likely find the interesting stuff here. I will head back to my reading room now, I bid you goodbye."
The corridor opens into a wide, circular chamber. Instead of a floor, a vast well lined with row upon row of books, scrolls, and parchment plummets downward. Below, flickering flames gently illuminate the chamber in soft light. A flight of narrow stone stairs descends in a spiral along the inner walls of the shaft, which is crisscrossed by a lattice of slender, impossibly thin bridges.
Jazadi doesn't know what exactly the lady is talking about when it comes to a hostile spirit, but when she reaches the Spiral's Heart, her own heart soars at the sight of such knowledge.
"Let's see..."
She starts moving to investigate the more historical textbooks.
Uthe raises an eyebrow at Say'ri's suggestion and chuckles with a low purr. "We'll race you to the top," she says, her teeth showing as she grins. Without waiting for a response, she dashes up the spiral stairs.
~~~~~
However, once she reaches a spot that looks interesting in which to begin her research, the sorceress is gravely disappointed to discover that all the writings are in the ancient pictographic form of Osiriani that she's seen, but never taken the effort to understand.
"Well this is just stupid," she snarls as she thrusts a scroll back onto the shelf with more force than actually warranted. "Trust humans to come up with so many languages that no one can understand them any more." She crosses her arms in frustration and drops to the ground, leaning against the shelf.
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Say'ri grins, waits for Uthe to have a headstart, and still beats her girlfriend to the top.
"Double or nothing?" She says with a rather feline purr. "First one back down gets a grooming session tonight?"
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To her credit Uthe takes her loss in good spirit, but when Say'ri sees her favorite cat getting down she trundles over to sit with her and stroke her head softly.
"Don't worry kitten. You're right, it's a very old form of writing and only people who love books like Jazz does have any real way of reading it any more. If you really want to perhaps we could get you a scroll or wand that would help you?" She doesn't press the point, but keeps up the stroking and cuddling until the sorceress feels better.
"Come on, let's try and find some useful things for the others. Let's say... first one to find five useful things, as decided by the others, gets to pick where we eat tonight?"
At the Muminofrah's pressing, Adol begins retelling the tale of his former group among the pathfinders. It went from meeting his friend Vaynarin during basic training, the sllightly paranoid human wizard with an obession for obtaining ever more fancy hats to signify his growing importance as a wizard, or so he reasoned.
It went to a dangerous mission into the Hold of Belkzen where he met Kyra, the gnome prankster rogue that later became his paramour. Said crypt contained many gargoyles protecting a tome filled with forbidden knowledge on an entity, or perhaps diety, known as Estivas.
The first of many hoodwinks that should have given it away were the mysterious notes appearing in his journal afterwards, claiming to be from Iomedae herself, and that he should take up worship of Iomedae and spread it among his own faith.
He winces. "And there was another. The less said about her, the better, I suppose. She had... I once thought of them as just another form of magic. Feshwarping capabilities that could debilitate enemies. But... I suppose even back then, some part of me felt ill at ease. I later learned she could directly implant her victims with diseases that immediately progressed to their final stages before death."
Shaking his head, he continues. "But... such was the nature of the society. Everyone was welcomed so long as they were skilled and working together towards a common goal. And that we did. I don't think many would have survived the harpy ambush as the Storval Plateau, for one. Or the arena on the way back through Belkzen. Unfortuantely, not all good things were meant to last."
He would continue this as long as necessary, leading into the betrayal of Kyra and Eliza if it came down to it, as he dicussed with the Falcons earlier.
Adol, conversely, tries walking over the Papyrus and it immediately buckles under his weight. He would have taken off his armor if not that he was carrying the Mask on him, as well as that the mention of this unknown spirit left him ill at ease. Still, he does manage to make some progress on the research into this Sky Pharaoh, mostly thanks to the sheer impressiveness of the archive...
...Or just tumbling down into a pile of books from a paper bridge and landing in the correct pile of books through sheer luck, perhaps.
"Come on, let's try and find some useful things for the others. Let's say... first one to find five useful things, as decided by the others, gets to pick where we eat tonight?"
Eventually mollified by her girlfriend's attentions, Uthe rises from her self-imposed funk.
"We are not suggesting in any way that you will beat us, but even if by some fluke of the gods you do, you are not allowed to pick one of those ... what is the word? Vegetarian? Vegetarian places. Those are stupid and to call them a restaurant at all is a cruel joke."
With that said, she moves out to scamper up and down the spiraling staircase, retrieving this and that as required.
Jamie channels the spirit of the Trickster but even the legendary sneak's clever mind doesn't help her. Fortunately, Jazadi and Ammon are much better suited to the task and with Uthe and Say'ri running hither and thither to fetch books and generally make things easier the work moves at a decent pace.
Adol is the first to find something, with a bit of help from Uthe. They locate an index which catalogues all of the scrolls copied from Hakotep’s library. Unfortunately cross-referencing shows that the scrolls have been moved or hidden and are not where they are supposed to be.
With that starting point Jazadi is able to immediately disregard a large number of shelves and she makes excellent progress, finding Hakotep's moved scrolls, cunningly misfiled under a compendium of Osiriani cooking recipes.
By the time she's done, Jazadi has found a huge pile containing several references to the Sky Pharaoh and his participation in some ancient war. The Sky Pharaoh is represented by a very distinct hieroglyph of a winged pyramid. According to the scrolls, the Sky Pharaoh was convinced that an attack was coming from enemies who lived in cities in the clouds, and he was frantically searching for a weapon to defeat them. Apparently, the pharaoh eventually succeeded in finding this weapon, but all that remains of the scrolls that detail this weapon are a handful of ragged papyrus scraps depicting confusing geometrical patterns.
On a roll, Jazadi also uncovers a large collection of tablets bound in cloth and marked with the Sky Pharaoh’s winged pyramid hieroglyph which contains a number of transcribed recollections of several courtiers at Hakotep’s court. These accounts make passing references to the Sky Pharaoh having access to stolen Shory magic.
It is very clear that Uthe was certainly helpful aiding Adol's research, but Say'ri managed to support Jazadi's spectacular efforts with the utmost style.
Knowing that you've been here for many hours you retreat from the archives, not wishing to suffer the Hom-Dai, or whatever else the librarians do to those staying past closing time.
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"My choice of dinner and a grooming session!" Say'ri says in delight as the group leaves the archives. "This is going to be a goooood night! Anyone else want to come, I know a place I think you'll all like."
With dusk falling Say'ri leads Uthe and anyone else who wants to come into Tephu and towards the river bank.
"Now it's not exactly the food you're used too..." She says, "But try it, I'll think you'll like it."
The place she's heading for is little more than a street vendor with a shabby lean-to. The short, dark-skinned man grins at them as the pair approach.
"Aha, my new favorite supplier! Here, for you. No charge." When Say'ri protests he grins, showing some remarkably crooked teeth. "I paid you so little for them, hbeeti. The food is the least I can do!" Say'ri accepts the meals with good grace and manages to suppress her discomfort at an open flame long enough to smile, thank the man and apply plenty of salt to the meat skewers.
"Have you ever eaten crocodile before?" She asks, handing two of the skewers to Uthe. "It's much better than you'd expect."
"My choice of dinner and a grooming session!" Say'ri says in delight as the group leaves the archives. "This is going to be a goooood night! Anyone else want to come, I know a place I think you'll all like."
"To avoid any confusion ... we only intend to groom Say'ri. Anyone else is responsible for their own grooming," Uthe grumbles, clearly not happy at losing out to the gloating woman.
"Have you ever eaten crocodile before?" She asks, handing two of the skewers to Uthe. "It's much better than you'd expect."
The amurrun narrows her eyes suspiciously at the charred meat suspended on the skewer. Leaning in closer, she sniffs tentatively. Sharp teeth are momentarily exposed as she rips a sample chunk off. She pauses during her chewing to consider the flavors. "This is acceptable," she says after a moment and sets to the rest of the offering.
Her understated appraisal aside, her two skewers are clean in a matter of moments.
"Is there more or is that the expected portion size?" she asks, her tongue snaking out to lick at some of the juices on her lips.
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"That's all we'll get for free I suspect, but Markhan doesn't charge much so I'm sure we can get some more." Say'ri says with a smile. Once she's polished off her own skewers she does just that, treating Uthe to three more skewers tinted with a red glaze, and picking up one more for herself, along with some flatbreads.
Just as you are all set to head out to the Archives again the following day, a slave dressed in a pure white tunic arrives at your inn and stands blocking your path, silently, head bowed but expectant.
Giving him leave to speak, he does so in the local tongue, osiriani, whilst looking directly towards Adol. "Our Most Royal Consort is holding a celebration in Tephu for all citizens tomorrow. She has requested the presence of you all for breakfast at dawn, followed by an exciting opportunity for you all to be part of the celebrations." Without waiting for a response, the slave turns on his heals and hurries off, clearly on other errands.
Whilst on your way back to the Spiral archives to continue your research you can see flyers have appeared overnight around Tephu, advertising the Festival of Horus and Hathor's union. Many local shops also have closure notices plastered to their doors, advertising their closure for tomorrow's celebration.
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Say'ri already knew about the festival and had, quietly, been looking forward to it. The prospect of spending a serious holiday of her faith playing attendant to Muminofrah is enough to put her in a seething bad mood. She manages to not take it out on any of the Falcon's but the way she convulsively grips her pistol butt as they deal with the librarians makes it clear she is not a happy Horusian.