"humph". "Believe what you wish". "You don't seem to be to perceptive for a leader of people".
Erizi then flicks what remains of the creature onto the floor, and makes to leave the tent.
She finds it hard to settle during the night, tossing and turning images of cacti monsters chasing her through the darkness small bug eyed mites poking her with daggers flashes of harrow cards spinning round her,voices whispering in the dark blurred movements throughout the camp all for the king goat Rombard its bloody corpse sat upon a grassy throne its eyes gazing upon its human subjects.
"That? ...is a pugwampi? and what makes you think it is our firestarter?" Almah looks at the distasteful mess. She looks from Nombir to the others.Dashki slips away from the group and does not enter the tent.
However Garavel joins the carpet meeting from his quarters. He speaks as little as Shimei.
"humph". "Believe what you wish". "You don't seem to be to perceptive for a leader of people".
Erizi then flicks what remains of the creature onto the floor, and makes to leave the tent.
Shimei just stares. Truly Erizi is either the bravest or most foolish man he has ever known. Someone needs to save face for the group now, but Shimei has no idea how.
"My Lady, it is not I who thinks it was this pugwampy that started the fire, but rather your scout. As I said before, the results of my investigation lead me to conclude it was nothing more than an accident."
Zaid turns too look at Dashki then notices he is not present.
Nombir realises he needs to keep his mouth shut in future!
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Almah stands up with Erizi leaving.
"Begone. You have the manners of pigs!" She waves towards her exit. "I expect my servants to handle themselves better."
"Come back in the morning. Do not bring that oaf and we shall discuss the terms of your service with me. But remember one word wrong and you people can find your own way home. Tomorrow."
Garavel stands and opens the tent flap for everyone to leave. He then follows the last one outside and studies the retreating back of Erizi. He murmurs quietly "That one needs a leash."
Shimei backs out of the tent bowing low. Outside he straightens up and speaks, "It is a long walk back from here, but that path is barred to me. I must stay here to find the shining city. Nombir, Zaid, you must convince her tomorrow to let us stay. I will talk to Erizi."
The desert dweller spins on his heel and trots after the warrior, "Erizi, wait up my friend. We must speak."
If Erizi does not wait:
If Erizi waits:
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Garavel watches Shimei follow after Erizi and says to those left, "What made you think the creature was responsible for killing the fortune-teller Eloais? It is important to my Lady because the man had been a source of advice and guidance for a long time and now his is dead."
He then heads back inside the guarded tent and closes the flap.
Nombir takes Zaid to one side and quietly says "what can we piece together so far? We have a dead goat, a pugwampy that causes bad luck and the shifty Dashki, who is nowhere to be found I might add. I don't know anything about pugwampy, are they capable of starting fires? If not then maybe another chat with Dashki may be required, with Erizi applying some pressure if you understand me? Anyway, we had better think of something quick before Erizi starts a war, or we are kicked out of camp! What do you think?"
Shimei
Erizi stops with Shemei's pressure on his shoulder. He turns around and gazes at him in amazement. "Why do you care what happens to me". "I have always had to fend for myself, and in the pits there is no room for compassion or friendship".
"I know that I am supposedly free upon completion of my mission, but I feel as though I've changed fetters of Iron, for bonds of words." "I do not understand how to talk or express myself"..."so I let my deeds do my talking".
"If she wished someone to banter with she should have hired a bard". "I was hired to smash heads when called upon, and that's what I will do". "I make no promises otherwise".
Erizi then stands to listen to what the priest has to say, clearly looking for guidance and acceptance.
later after Erizi has some time to cool off, he heads over by himself and inspects the dagger, and the harrow cards he got off the creature.
Shimei
** spoiler omitted **
"We serve Almah and through her the pactmasters. Our actions affect more than just ourselves. If we do well, we will all prosper. If we do ill, we may all suffer.
"You say you will be free when we are done, but what is freedom? I was free. For months I roamed the desert sands alone. I answered to no one. Bowed down to no one. But alone I could do little. Pitifully little.
"Together we may do much. I have been shown a gleaming city in a valley, surrounded by fields, nestled in the hills. We can make that city, but it must be together. No man can do it alone. It is the bow-father's will.
"If you can not express yourself with your tongue, let your deeds speak. But let them tell a tale of valor and prudent prowess, not rash impulse. Garavel did not hire your sword-arm. He hired a man, in all his parts.
"I tell you. As long as you live among men you will be chained. Laws, friends and family will bind you. If you still wish it when we are done, I will teach you how to be free as I was free. But I hope like me you will embrace the bondage of community of your own choosing. For if you choose those chains, they become lighter. And others will help you carry them. So the bow-father tells me."
Shimei stops a little out of breath. He seldoms speaks so long or so fast. "Good night. I must pray and sleep. Tomorrow we must explain ourselves to Almah. Tell her why we think the pugwampi caused the fire."
"I hear your words priest, and out of respect to your attempts to advise me, I shall think on them".
"But how can one whom has known only freedom tell one whom has only known slavery what freedom is". "When you speak of bowing to nobody, having the opportunity to do as you please, and go where you want, my soul aches within me".
"For years in the salt mines I saw those whom worked and slept next to me die". "No matter how hard I worked I could do nothing to keep them alive, so I learned to not know them, thus not weep when their souls departed".
"Then in my time in the pits, I found that by succeeding, and trying harder than the next man, sometimes even as part of a group, I reaped the benefits". "I was given larger quarters, better food, women...even magical healing". "But, this was an illusion". "This was not for me it was so I could fight better, and make more profit for my masters".
"It is hard for me to fathom that this Golden City of yours is not also a mirage".
"From what I have seen so far this is no different". "Garavel will be nice to me, and give me my pat on the head if I'm a good dog". Erizi then spits on the ground.
"You speak of being alone in the world as being unpleasant...of being able to accomplish great things when part of a group". "I hear your words, but being able to decide when I arise, when I eat, and what I do for even a day...sounds like...Erizi turns away least the caring priest sees the tears forming in his eyes, "I am tired". "I will see you on the morrow". And with that he walks away.
Shimei watches the the former slave walk away. Hard life, that one.
Using some lighted stones for illumination he spreads his bedroll and blanket. Then he sheds his armour and begins his nightly prayer ritual. During the ritual the yellow dog trots into camp and lies down nearby. When Shimei turns in the dog moves to curl up near his feet.
Dawn, the yellow dog is up and nosing Shimei awake. "Pestilential cur, " the man growls. "Go away." But he gets up and stretches. Then rolls his blankets tightly and kneels with his bow to pray. When he is done he goes in search of the others to discuss what they will say.
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As the camp wakens they can see the full view of the Sultans Claw. Once a majestic tree with branches as fingers, it is now a trunk and some stumps.
The burnt out wagon, looks a little forlorn, a tattered curtain rag flutters in the breeze. The sand is already starting to gather around the wheels of that and the others.
The good halfling, Zastoran, is eating his breakfast served by the herdswoman and general servant, Hadrah. Her husband is busy with his flock not far away.
There is the smell of sweet porridge wafting from a bubbling pot on the fire.
The six mercenaries are already up and sat in a circle eating not far from the tree.
Shimei strolls over and spoons some porridge into a bowl. He sits next to Zanthus. "I am Shimei." After exchanging pleasantries for a few moments, he asks, "Last night we sought out Hadrod's goat. We found it tied to a bush by a pugwampi, an ugly little dog-man. Almah is not convinced the pugwampi started the fire yesterday and demands proof. You have worked with her before. How can we satisfy her?"
Zaid is already awake, recording the previous day's events in his journal. When he sees Shimei go over to talk to Zanthus, he lurks behind to hear what is said.
Erizi looks over the cards and dagger again after awakening...something is bothering him...
"Erueka"! Erizi suddenly hollers.
"I have been searching these captured items for clues...but I am such a dunce...The items are the clues". "Harrow Cards"! What was that creature doing with Harrow cards"?
Erizi jumps up and rushes to the burnt wagon, determined to see if the cards the creature had in its bag match the ones the unfortunate, fortune teller possessed.
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The dagger is tiny and rusty. It looks to be a bit primitive, almost as bad as a goblin slicer. While the cards all have one or two scorch marks. There are six cards and they are the following;
1) The foreign trader - a book over a well dressed man with a purple tail. The top is gone.
2) The brass dwarf - a dwarf of fire with a hookah standing in some kind of burning pit.
3) Burnt bottom so no words - a bright blue light with rays shattering the bonds of an old slave. A hammer sits in the top left corner.
4) The Marriage - a beautiful creature of water with a fiery man or genie.
5) (Burnt corner) The Mount-, - a giant man over a cottage, he has what looks like a dragon over one shoulder. The tree barely reaches his knee.
6) The Demon's Lantern - part of a key but nothing else remains of this card.
It takes seconds for Erizi to realise that the cards did indeed belong to Eloais, their pattern matches those odds and sods lying in the sand around the charred wagon.
With slow deliberate movements she stretches, yawns and lets out a big sigh, staring round she squints in the early morning sun. Wiping her nose her face is enlightened by a smile."Hmm smells nice, whats cooking." With renewed vigour she clambers out her bedroll shakes the sand from her hair and strolls over to the bubbling pot of porridge.
"Do you mind if I join you, I'm Zsithreminni, for those that havent met me.Complements to the cook the porridge smells lovely."As she scoops a ladle full into a bowl, glances round at those present and gives a cheeky smile.
"Do you mind if I join you, I'm Zsithreminni, for those that havent met me.Complements to the cook the porridge smells lovely."As she scoops a ladle full into a bowl, glances round at those present and gives a cheeky smile.
Shimei replies tonelessly, "Good morning, Zsithremmini. Almah was not pleased with our report last night. We did not prove to her satisfaction that the pugwampi was the arsonist. I was just asking Zastoran here how we might better convince her."
Erizi ... rushes to the burnt wagon, ....
Shimei's eye's follow the former slave through the camp. "Erizi, looks excited. Perhaps he has found something. Zsithremmini, why don't you see what it is? I will see what advice Zantoran has for us."
Shimei smiles stiffly at the woman and the halfling.
Nombir had slept under a wagon last night. Having put on his armour, eaten some food from his pack, he sits against the wheel of the wagon and watches the others eating their porridge while he meditates etc.
"Good morning Shimei, well if Almah isn't pleased maybe she should go out in the darkness and search herself. If she kept a tighter leash on her camp then maybe unfortunate events may not befall her, its a bit chaotic unlike the order of civilization."
Looking over to Erizi,"Well I have said my piece, I'll see what Erizi is upto."
Getting up and moving to where Erizi is stood, she gives a wave to Shimei."Hey Erizi, what you doing over there come and get your porridge."
"Look girl, Look!" Erizi exclaims excitedly. "Here is the proof Almah needs".
"These cards were in the bag of the Pugwampi". "See how they match the ones from the murdered mans tent". "And look some of them are partially burnt, like they were in a fire".
"I Erizi have solved the mystery".
He then turns and looks at her with the first smile anyone in the camp has ever seen on his face, though it looks kind of scary with the missing teeth, and hideous scarring.
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As Erizi finishes his explanation, Garavel comes out of the large tent to fetch some breakfast. He fills two bowls and stops for a moment by the fire to speak to Zaid and Shimei before heading inside.
Zaid/Shimei
Shimei nods. "Zaid, why don't you get Nombir? I will fetch the others." Shimei rises and gives his empty bowl to Hadrah.
Then he walks over to Zsithremmini and Erizi. "Come. We must all talk. Almah breaks her fast now. When she is done, she will see us." He leads them back to the fire.
Zaid nods and asks Nombir to join the gathering by the fire.
"Priest". "Erizi has solved the mystery". "Look what I have found".
Erizi then goes on to show Sheimi the burnt cards he found in the Pugwampi's sack, and how they match the cards in the Fortunetellers ruined cart.
He then excitedly follows him to the fireside.
Arriving at the fire, Shimei announces, "Erizi has found the proof we need. Please." He sweeps his arm from Erizi to the assembled party inviting the fighter to speak.
Erizi is all smiles as they approach the rest of the group...or at least everyone thinks he is attempting to smile. At the mention of speaking before the group however his smile fades...and his normal "Don't talk to me" look reappears.
He shoves the cards at the priest. "You tell them". he grunts under his breath, then heads towards the breakfast, and sits over by himself his concentration firmly on his meal.
Shimei relays Erizi's discovery to the others, that the Harrow cards in the pugwampi's bag match those found around the fortune teller's burnt wagon. He also mentions that the goat's halter rope had been tied to the bush, not entangled. All together a strong circumstantial case.
Nombir moves over to the others and tries some porridge while listening to Shimei. He then turns to Erizi and says "well done Erizi, there's more to you than meets the eye!"
Shimei agrees. "Yes, well done. Now, " looking at Nombir and Zaid, "do you have everything you need to convince Almah?"
Zaid shrugs. "She does not listen to me. Let us hope the evidence Erizi found is enough."
"Let us hope that the evidence we present to her is enough, if not then I fear she is one iron lady that cannot be trusted.If not Zaid to present the evidence to her then maybe one of the other camp followers say father Zastoran, maybe a bit of divine grace will sway her into our favour."
"She seemed impressed with Nombir yesterday evening. Zantoran knows nothing of this"
"Come on then, lets see what happens!". With that Nomibir leads the way into the tent. He bows politely to Almah and says "good morning my Lady, we have news". Nombir holds out the cards so that Almah can see them. "These were found in the Pugwampy's bag. Some are charred and they match those in and around the burnt wagon belonging to Eloais. It is also apparent that the goat was tied to the bush we found him next to".
Nombir nods towards Erizi and says to Almah. "Our muscle bound friend here found the cards. His manner maybe blunt, but he is very useful"
Nombir then looks at Zaid and says "do you have anything to add?"
She follows them into the tent admiring its furnishings not paying too much attention to the occupants but her ears remain focused and her eyes sharp.Standing next to the tent flaps hands by her sides.
Zaid bows before Almah. "My Lady, consideration of these facts lead one to deduce that the pugwampy was in or around the wagon at the time of the fire, and thus constitutes very strong evidence that the creature was responsible for it."
Shimei enters the tent and stays behind Zaid and Nombir. He listens with satifaction to the party's spokesmen and hopes he won't be called upon to speak.
Erizi has no desire to appear before that strutting peacock again. Unless issued a direct order he will make himself busy cleaning up the mess of the fortune tellers wagon, and busying himself about camp, staying out of the way as much as possible.
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Almah looks at the cards, and she rubs one thumb over the back pattern then down the charred edge. "So you seem to have convinced me. The pugwampi killed Eloais either by accident or purpose. I wonder what a pack of the little devils could do?"
Then the Lady claps her hands and a guard enters, "Podarn, fetch coffee and tell Hadrah to set the welcome rug, I have much to discuss with these fine adventurers. Tell the big warrior to come in."
Garavel takes his cue and moves the small table with its map to one side. He also joins the group sitting at the far end of the rug. Soon Hadrah has brought drinks and cushions are now around the welcome mat. "Please sit all of you. Take morning coffee with me and let us discuss your future."
Almah helps Hadrah a little by passing a lovely box of sherbert covered sweetmeats around, each one favoured with lemon, honey or rose.
"The Pactmasters chose me to lead this expedition because I get things done. The village of Kelmarane must be reclaimed so that the trade routes north of Katapesh can be re-established. The people you see in camp all work for me as advisors, servants or guards. Most are highly trusted and loyal."
"I would hear a little of each of you and why you have chosen to leave Solku and come here."
Erizi
Podarn, the tall Pactmaster guard marches across and orders coffee from Hadrah. Then he finds you, "Lady Almah wants you in her tent. Now."
At the order from the guard Erizi straightens from picking up some of the charred mess. Taking a rag from the debris he wipes the sweat from his face, then cleans his hands with the same rag.
He then puts on his "Stone" face, and follows the guard to the tent, prepared to be put out into the desert for his insolence. "Well so be it", he silently mumbles to himself as he walks.