"Just give me a moment with my assistant please," Shulim says to Sulivar, "ZimZaam, Aliph, perhsps you could ask our esteemed host where we might stay while in town, what we should see while we're here, and ask about the boats in the harbor."
Ghari looks nervously at Fazaam, waiting for him to take the lead.
Fazaam recovers from his current pose, and Bows to SHulim.
"Of course Master Mulish." He says amiably. He glances at Ghari with a blink so rapid and imperceptible, only his friend could recognize it for the wink it was, and turns the gleaming smile of his perfect pearly whites upon their hosts.
"Master Merchant!" Fazaam begins happily, "Would you be so kind as to enlighten this unworthy one of where Masters of such quality and refinement, such as my companions, and their unworthy assistant, may find suitable accommodations? Not that my masters are pretentious! Far from it! They themselves are far too noble and humble to declare their own positions, however truthful such statements may be. But even the most upstanding and devoted of the followers of the true gods find it hard to properly reflect upon the words of the prophet when unable to properly rest and refresh themselves! I do not ask for an introduction to the Rajah's palace, indeed my MAster would fain fall upon his face and beg to be excused as unworthy should he be invited! But if you would mayhap know of a haven run by reputable and devoted men, where my master may refresh himself and complete his daily prayers in solace, this unworthy one would be most assuredly in your dept and eternally grateful!"
Fazaam finishes his speech with a bow and a Salaam.
Fudrick frowns at Yrar, "I should have been more prepared for this moment. It seems that we grew quite close in the short time we knew each other." Gripping Yrars arm in a shake he says, "Take care my big friend. May the winds of the navigator guide your sails to paradise." As he watches Yrar take his leave he thinks about what he just said. "I am hanging around Marwan to much. His seaman's sayings are rubbing off on me."
Once Yrar is gone he looks around the marketplace. Not really sure of what to expect in such a seedy looking trading port. As he looks around he asks a passing person what sort of the is in the distance.
After Marwan is finished "portend" protesting, Shulim glances over at the silk merchant,
"You must forgive my friend here, he is receiving a commission on this sale, but I do wonder if he is right. The price you give me, hmmm, how shall I say this? It was surprising, especially after you welcomed us into the shade of your tent and offered us refreshments. I do understand that a man needs to make a profit. The silk market is a very tough market, and I understand from some traveling reports, that this city is an especially tough market. Many more added expenses I imagine.
"Hmmm, may we talk about the city and the market? I've only been here once before as a boy traveling the world, and then only a couple of nights, but it did leave an impression even back then. This is the type of city where the strong rule and the weak tremble and pray not to get caught underfoot. My master has always said this is a city of destiny and so he always tries to have at least one of his agents or students check the place out every decade or so."
Marwan takes on an air of effronted dignity
"Master Mulish, I would advise that we perhaps find another who could appreciate the fine silks you have brought. Clearly this offer is an insult to your intellegence! We know these silks are worth at least three times what he has offered you. To be offered such a paltry sum for such wonderful silks is ludicrous!"
"Three times! Go and try. You have no business for me. You are robbers and thieves looking to put me and my family on the streets where you belong."
His eyes twinkle and gleam as he warms to the theme.
"Now Master Milush give me your best offer and I shall answer questions as well as I can." The beard twitches as his grin widens.
"Or go and consider the drinks a gift for your friend's foolish entertainment. You could try the silk merchant at the other side of the Bazaar - Pershone. I would be hapy if you stole from him."
-
Fudrick
Fazaam arches an eyebrow slightly at the 'robbers' statement.
'If he only knew,...' Fazaam idly reflected, thinking that fully half their number were recently engaged as pirates, however unwilling their participation may have been.
Recognizing that the merchant is only just starting to get into the swing of what promises to be an entertaining haggle, particularly against the wily wits of Shulim, and not wishing to insult the merchant by interrupting him before he got to give a full performance, Fazaam resumes his 'bored cavalier' pose.
He stretches comfortably and leans casually against one of the tent poles. As Fazaam Languidly examines the fingernails of one long, thin hand from beneath half-closed lids, he is the perfect picture of the bored corsair. The self-confidant swordsman who awaits the next chance to unleash his blade and assuage his boredom.
But Beneath his elvish stillness, his mind works feverishly as he stretches out with all of his senses, both natural and mystical, to examine his surroundings. Belatedly realizing that it is his position as 'guard' to make certain that there are no untoward surprises waiting for them in the tent.
"Three times! Go and try. You have no business for me. You are robbers and thieves looking to put me and my family on the streets where you belong."
....
Ghari looks around the tent with obvious curiousity. The parawing draws his eye.
"Three times! Go and try. You have no business for me. You are robbers and thieves looking to put me and my family on the streets where you belong."
His eyes twinkle and gleam as he warms to the theme.
"Now Master Milush give me your best offer and I shall answer questions as well as I can." The beard twitches as his grin widens.
"Or go and consider the drinks a gift for your friend's foolish entertainment. You could try the silk merchant at the other side of the Bazaar - Pershone. I would be hapy if you stole from him."
"My mentor and master always did tell me never take the first offer," Shulim says as he crosses his legs, "but before I counter I must know more about the city. I would like to hear your opinions because, except for your claim that 300 was the best you could do, I believe that you have been honest with me. Tell me of the dangers and wonders of your city, and who, besides yourself, should we meet while we're here?"
Fazaam can see that the yellow parawing is warbling deep in its throat and hopping along the perch following its master's movement.
"Master Milush, the port of Musushlat has two currencies, one is this (he fingers the silk) and the other is information. Both cost. What is it I can tell you.......for free?"
The young merchant walks outside and approaches Fudrick. "Where is your large friend?"
;)
Fazaam glances at the young merchant when he moves, but seeing that he is only checking on Yrar and Fudrick at the tent front, returns his attention to the warbling songbird.
'I wonder if the bird's following his master's movements is normal? It sure seems happy for a caged songbird.' The elf muses as he observes the little bird's antics. 'I suppose it could be a familiar, I've certainly seen stranger ones.' He reaches up to scratch Hasan behind the ears. He continues to observe the bird through half-lidded eyes as he rifles through his memories of his long childhood for any lecture or scroll about parawings he may have seen or heard,...
Fazaam's Knowledge (Arcana) and (NAture) rolls: (1d20 8=19, 1d20 5=6)
But while he had enjoyed learning the intricacies of mystical energies and creatures, he had refused to pay attention to anything that he could 'just look out the window and see for myself'.
Fazaam sighs wistfully as he recalls his druid mentor's stern admonishments on his lack of attention.
"I wonder what old moss-beard would say if he could see you?" HE whispered to Hasan while offering him another piece of fruit. HE then turned back to the dual show of the merchant and his songbird.
"Master Milush, the port of Musushlat has two currencies, one is this (he fingers the silk) and the other is information. Both cost. What is it I can tell you.......for free?"
"I've been told that of Musushlat," Shulim says, "but seeing as your offer is only a third of the value I figured that you must have something else of interest to trade, and so I was merely offering you a proper segue into what I assumed would be the reasonable compensation."
Ghari grows nervous as the negotiations heat up, but relaxes as Shulim steers them back to calmer waters. He looks over at Fazzaam an pantomimes a big yawn.
Fazaam raises a slight eyebrow at Ghari's actions. Only a slight curl of his lip betrays his amusement.
Among his own people, the slight elf was considered incorrigible and impatient, incapable of sitting still for any worthwhile length of time. But compared to the shorter lived woodsman, Fazaam was the epitome of patience.
Fazaam nods to Ghari with a slight smile to indicate his general agreement, one eyebrow raised in the elvish equivalent of a human's 'what are you gonna do?' shrug. Halfway through the nod he flicks his eyes to the bird twice.
The elf then returns to languidly examining the fingernails of the other hand, hoping that his friend understood his curiosity about the bird.
Sulivar begins to chortle and laugh.
"So what can I tell you that is worth twice these silks? My time is precious - speak."
Sulivar begins to chortle and laugh.
"So what can I tell you that is worth twice these silks? My time is precious - speak."
Shulim raises an eyebrow.
"Now I am getting confused . . ." He says scratching his head, "I thought you had information for me, but I guess not. I apologize, it has been a while sense I was on this side of Qtar, and I fear I'm getting my signals mixed up. Eight hundred and eighty is far more reasonable I think."
The parawing begins trilling away again, singing of who knows what.
"Let me see, Master Milush, it is obvious to me too that you have not been here before. The price I offered is a fair one. The offer of information is a fair one. I would like these silks but my purse cannot go beyond 400 gold which is fairer than I would normally offer a newcomer, but I sense we may be doing business again. So 400 plus some useful information to you."
Shulim
Fudrick wanders in with the younger man, "Yrar just left with that divan. Some woman.." The gnome shrugs a little to everyone.
"He said something about working, but it looked like he found himself a woman. It felt kind of strange, but he went willingly." Fudrick shrugs again.
Looking around the room he tries to get a feel for what is going on.
"He said something about working, but it looked like he found himself a woman. It felt kind of strange, but he went willingly." Fudrick shrugs again.
Looking around the room he tries to get a feel for what is going on.
Fazaam looks up, slightly, to Fudrick as he enters the tent. He raises an quizzical eyebrow and starts to move, then seems to change his mind and settles back against the pole he is holding up.
"Strange may simply be our friend being,... himself." The elf replies in a whisper to Fudrick, not wanting to interrupt the flow of bargaining just getting rolling between the two experienced hagglers. "But I trust your insights. We can check if you'd like, make sure he's ok. But I also trust that our companion can take care of himself. And if he IS,... fine, he may not take politely to being, um, interrupted in his work." He says with a wink and a slight smirk.
"Meanwhile, this is just getting good." HE whispers with a slight wave toward the two negotiators.
"I do so enjoy seeing master's at their craft! I should be taking notes,..." He whispers with a grin.
"Let me see, Master Milush, it is obvious to me too that you have not been here before. The price I offered is a fair one. The offer of information is a fair one. I would like these silks but my purse cannot go beyond 400 gold which is fairer than I would normally offer a newcomer, but I sense we may be doing business again. So 400 plus some useful information to you."
"I was twenty at the time," Shulim sighs, "That would be ten or twelve by human years I think, and I didn't stay long, three days to be exact. I tried explaining this to my master, but he, who can remember every day and hour of his lengthy life, said that 'experience is experience' and sent me on my way.
"I am pleased with your offer. It is a move in the right direction. But that, if I'm not mistaken, would be most of the gold out of your till. My esteemed host Sulivar, I would not wish to deprive you of all your float money, but I do need coin to book passage on a ship out of here, and my assistants and I will require equipment and supplies. If this were the great market of Markesh I'd ask for a letter of credit, or if we were in the great vaulted bazaar in Yaarth I could simply buy what I wanted from the other merchants confident that the silk dealer their could cover my costs, it's too bad that such an arrangement can't be reached here."
Although his last statement was not a question Shulim voice does ascent upwards slightly as if it were.
The merchant brightens as the conversation moves in the right direction,"I can help with passage, I know a trader or two."
He tots up for a few moments then makes an offer, "this is my final offer, I shall take these silks off you for 300 gold, and some information and I shall arrange passage on the next available trader for free."
Looking at the faces, Sulivar smiles, "plus I offer you and your men a half share in 800 gold in gems. All you have to do is collect them."
The young man is frowning a bit at this final bargain. "Un-," he stops at a cutting gesture from the master merchant.
Looking at the faces, Sulivar smiles, "plus I offer you and your men a half share in 800 gold in gems. All you have to do is collect them."
The young man is frowning a bit at this final bargain. "Un-," he stops at a cutting gesture from the master merchant.
Ghari's head snaps up at this offer. He doesn't like the sound of this new deal. It seems likely to distract them from rescuing Temusa. Tensely, he awaits Shulim's reply.
Marwan perks up when he hears gems mentioned.
"Master Milush, although I still think that we are being unfairly flayed of our profit, perhaps since the noble Sulivar is more familiar with the going prices in the port we should gracefully acceed."
Marwan looks over at the merchant.
"Perhaps you could elucidate what exactly would be entailed in retreiving these gems, noble host? As the Book of the Navigator says, 'Foolish is he that sails with half a map.'"
Marwan perks up when he hears gems mentioned.
"Master Milush, although I still think that we are being unfairly flayed of our profit, perhaps since the noble Sulivar is more familiar with the going prices in the port we should gracefully acceed."
Marwan looks over at the merchant.
"Perhaps you could elucidate what exactly would be entailed in retreiving these gems, noble host? As the Book of the Navigator says, 'Foolish is he that sails with half a map.'"
"Yes," Shulim says, pretending to look annoyed at his 'assistant', "Nabil is correct, tell us as much as you can Mulivar, first about this ship you can arrange passage on, and then as much as you can share about this other business. Naturally this side investment involves a good share of risk otherwise you'd collect the gems yourself, but how much danger, and will we be making any enemies while in town? I have other business here and I'd rather not complicate things by making powerful enemies . . . also I may need to confer with my men, they've been charged with assisting and protecting me, but they may not like me taking on any unnecessary risk.
I can speak on the matter of the sale of the silks but not with total certainty on this other venture as it likely involves risking my men's lives."
Sulivar strokes his beard a little.
"A merchant friend of mine, of longstanding, has had a good deal of bad luck. I offered to help finance a caravan into the jungles for trade goods, rare herbs and spices and the like. He sort to regain wealth and position although the venture would be dangerous. The trek proved too dangerous and Farombey, his first son died from his wounds. My friend returned three weeks later with nothing to show for his journey. That was a month ago."
Sulivar sits beneath the trilling parawing and shrugs his shoulders, "the man no longer my friend. He has found some wealth in the jungle, wealth that has changed him so that we have never spoke since he left. But I hear he has been spending money, like a waterfall, two ruby necklaces are being given to ladies and fine gentlemen. All I wish is for my money back, 1000 gold."
The younger merchant interrupts the flow and his uncle shades his eyes while he speaks, "my uncle has lost a fine friend and you and your friends would not be wise to get involved. Let us leave it like that. How about 250 gold for one crate of silk and forget the rest."
The younger man walks over and places a hand of his elder relative's shoulder, "Master Milush, that is a good offer. Take it."
Fazaams ears perk up, literally, at the mention of 'collecting gems'. He listens to how Shulim carefully words his response so that he can discuss it with the rest without surrendering his 'authority'.
Fazaam raises a slim eyebrow at the actions of the younger salesman.
'There is more to this than meets the eye. In a town as this, no one casually throws away a friend without a reason, no matter how much money he finds. But we have already seen what can happen to a man in the jungles,...' Fazaam contemplates rapidly, petting Hasan to cover his thoughts. A swift glance told him all he needed to know about Ghari's thoughts.
'This may even be related to the witch somehow. The only way to find out will be to get involved. But will we be siding ourselves with the Djinni or the Efreet?'
Again, not being well-known for his patience among elves, Fazaam rapidly reaches a decision. For better or ill,... he tosses casually to fate.
'Temusa's gonna kill me.'
The elf stands upright from where he has been reclining against the tent pole and stretches. Giving Ghari the 'hold' sign as he does so. He then places a hand on Fudrick's shoulder and gives him a swift smile as well. He steps silently to Shulim's side and kneels on one knee next to him. The elf speaks softly, loud enough for all to hear, but soft enough to be respectful of a man interrupting his master's dealings.
"Forgive me master. But you bade me speak and advise you. I would be remiss in my duty if I did not point out that not long ago you offered help to your unworthy servant when he was in need." Fazaam says, touching his own chest. "Now is my chance to carry on your example. Fear not for enemies, those we can deal with. But as the Book of the Navigator says, 'A true friend in a strange port is a rare treasure indeed.' If we seek to aid this noble merchant, we may even be able to restore to him his friend, which as a wise man he would surely value more than gold or gems. And if not, at least we can restore to him his money, which it is his right to recover, and fulfill a fair-sounding bargain."
Realizing belatedly that he may be overstepping his bounds of the part he is supposed to be playing, he simply shrugs and gives a small smile.
"We trust your judgement master. You pay for our services. The respect you have earned. We await your decision." The elf bows his head, touches his forehead, and retreats to his tent-pole.
'Sorry Ghari, we will rescue Temusa. But I cannot help but wonder if these incidents are related. And we can use all the help we can get.' Fazaam thinks to himself, and begins wondering the best way to go about finding out what the sea-witch is really up too, and if Temusa is still unharmed.
Shulim looks at Fazaam and then he closes his eyes and tents his fingers as if deep in thought.
"These two things may not be directly related," Shulim eventually says, "I think the dates are wrong. Sulivar, when did you note this change in your one time friend?"
Sulivar answers from inside his hands, "Since his return a month or less ago, we would normally have shared a drink or chat about the world."
The eyes come forward into view. "You know something of this?"
Sulivar answers from inside his hands, "Since his return a month or less ago, we would normally have shared a drink or chat about the world."
The eyes come forward into view. "You know something of this?"
"It's possible," Shulim say with a nervous shrug, "there are currently many things at play, and possibly many more to which I've not been made aware of. Two things which you may need to know is that powerful magic has come to the city for . . ." Shulim acts as if he were going to say something but catches himself, "for reasons that we ordinary folk are better off not knowing, and the second is that the city of Musushlat is far older then most people realize. Outside the city in the jungles lie the bones of ancient civilizations.
"I will be honest Sulivar, I don't know if my business and this business with your friend is related, but I must talk to my companions before I can agree to look into it for you. It is possible that your friend is bewitched or . . . or worse, but it's also likely that he's just greedy and a poor friend. I can't say which is worse . . . spells can be reversed I guess, but the caster would need to be dealt with to truly guarantee his safety . . .
"There are no easy answers I guess, unless you believe in blind providence, that everything is related and the invisible hand of god has steered us toward your tent. You're friends change, was it sudden or gradual? You say he was in the jungles? Who was with him? Is there anyone we could question? The real question is not something that I'll be able to give right here and now."
Marwan stays silent, but his bright eyes scan Sulivar and his nephew intently.
Marwan
The pair of merchants look at each other and wait for Milush to discuss the issues with his comrades.
"Dis town," Shulim whispers, "is exactly da type o'town we don't wants ta get involved in. But we needs a way out. Dis guy can help us wit passage. Dat's one less ting we need ta arrange. we's gonna need information if we's gonna save da girl and we needs a way out. I know I said da last part afore but I feel it can't be stressed enough. We need a way out o'dis town. So we do dis work and we might make new enemies . . . course we blow dis guy off and we might have already made enemies.
"So, I say at da very least we look inta dis problem, I ain't sure how I feels about it yet, but dis town ain't so large and I tink der be big tings brewing 'ere. I wouldn't be surprised ta see tings somehow connected. But personally I don't want ta get drawn inta no hero stuff, just want ta save da girl and get out ta town . . . hopefully wit some scratch."
"Dis town," Shulim whispers, "is exactly da type o'town we don't wants ta get involved in. But we needs a way out. Dis guy can help us wit passage. Dat's one less ting we need ta arrange. we's gonna need information if we's gonna save da girl and we needs a way out. I know I said da last part afore but I feel it can't be stressed enough. We need a way out o'dis town. So we do dis work and we might make new enemies . . . course we blow dis guy off and we might have already made enemies.
"So, I say at da very least we look inta dis problem, I ain't sure how I feels about it yet, but dis town ain't so large and I tink der be big tings brewing 'ere. I wouldn't be surprised ta see tings somehow connected. But personally I don't want ta get drawn inta no hero stuff, just want ta save da girl and get out ta town . . . hopefully wit some scratch."
Ghari is somewhat abashed. He didn't have an escape plan as such. Just grab Temusa and run. Of course they'd need a ship! Still .... "Master Milush, you are wise. But even if we had passage, would the timing be right? If we have to wait weeks for the merchant it would be almost as bad as having no way out at all. And without Yrar I'm leery of any fight that would weaken us before the rescue."
Marwan leans into Shulim and whispers in his ear
"There is more to this story than we are being told. The nephew is holding something back, as is Sulivar. Tread carefully."
Fazaam nods at Ghari, and again at Marwan.
"Yes, things are surely more than they seem here, and it has been my experience that what may appear Coincidence is seldom so."
"Master Mulish, I heartily agree with your feelings, we shall trust for you to make what arrangements you can. We shall do our best to make our arrangements around yours as best as we may. Hopefully they will coincide nicely. But I also feel that this matter bears looking into."
"Some of us may be more prone to throwing ourselves in harm's way than is absolutely necessary, but like you, I wish only to rescue the fair lady and get out. Hopefully with some 'scratch', but also without a scratch." HE says with a grin, then dabs his eyes with a handkerchief from his sleeve.
"Ah, I do so amuse myself sometimes!" He smirks at Ghari.
"Ah, I do so amuse myself sometimes!" He smirks at Ghari.
Ghari grins back goodnaturedly before riposting, "If only you amused us too. "
Ghari grins back goodnaturedly before riposting, "If only you amused us too. "
Fazaam snaps his kerchief at Ghari like a tiny whip before returning it to it's sleeve.
"Yes, well,... Beauty before brawn!" He grins.
"Boys," Shulim says glancing at their host, "member dat our hosts can see us. Let's keep da clownin' out of the conversation til after we's done wit business.
"Ya we need a boat, when it leaves is ganna be touchy, but wit any good disappearing act it's all about timing."
Shulim glances over Marwan, "we's gonna need da whole story before we decide, but day might not give 'er if dat tink we aint gonna help dem. It ain't smart ta tell strangers yer whole story. Maybe he's worried dat we might take da money all ta ourselves . . . or more likely, 'is former friend's got a powerful friend or ally. Maybe if we tell em' we look inta it day'll tell us da rest. If day don't we have to word our promise so dat if we find out day's holding out someting on us den we're free from our obligations."
Fazaam manages to look momentarily chagrined at Shulim's remonstration.
"Yes Master Mulish." He says contritely with a bow of his head, giving Ghari a sideways glance that says, 'NOW look, you got us in trouble again!'
"It appears that the master seems seriously willing to negotiate in good faith, just cautious. Which shows his wisdom. While it seems that the younger is actually wishing to keep what he knows from us. I find it unlikely that not investigating would cause us to earn an enemy, as it seems unlikely that many in this town would do as much. But on that logic, it does seem that at least trying in good faith will earn us at least appreciation for our efforts, if not outright friendship."
HE muses for a moment, then nods again. "Yes. I stand by my initial judgement. You make the deal as best as you may, and we shall attempt to match the timing of our other ventures upon our ship's departure. At this point, we have nothing to lose, and at least a passage out of here to gain!" HE finishes with his customary grin.
Fazaam manages to look momentarily chagrined at Shulim's remonstration.
"Boys," Shulim says glancing at their host, "member dat our hosts can see us. Let's keep da clownin' out of the conversation til after we's done wit business.
"Ya we need a boat, when it leaves is ganna be touchy, but wit any good disappearing act it's all about timing."
Shulim glances over Marwan, "we's gonna need da whole story before we decide, but day might not give 'er if dat tink we aint gonna help dem. It ain't smart ta tell strangers yer whole story. Maybe he's worried dat we might take da money all ta ourselves . . . or more likely, 'is former friend's got a powerful friend or ally. Maybe if we tell em' we look inta it day'll tell us da rest. If day don't we have to word our promise so dat if we find out day's holding out someting on us den we're free from our obligations."
Ghari ducks his head and smiles gleefully. (The satifaction he feels is much like that he experienced as a boy when one of his brother's took the punishment for a minor piece of mischief. ) But then Shulim's sober tone brings him back to the situation at hand. "Milush, you know best. Just please try to remember my sister's interest."