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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 5414951" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p>Cha<strong>pter 49 "Arrival at Zakazik” (Episode Two, Chapter Nine) - Thursday, September 7, 1882, 3:00 A.M. </strong></p><p></p><p>"I make friends easily, ma'am!" quips Fish with a sly grin. "Trust me when I say that the other 'stable boys'? They're as good a source of what the frogs are doing in town as any you might name! Who do you think shovels their sh**?" Fish blushes, "Oops! Pardon me, ladies..." Lawrence interjects, "Aye, Fish. Servants and the like see more than the high and mighty realize. And they're usually willing to give up their knowledge."</p><p></p><p>Lawrence puts on the robe. He cinches the belt and wraps the scarf around his head. "So what about us? Are we George's servants too?" Glancing at Mina and Alsoomse he adds “Or wives?” "HA!," Ruby laughs, "George is only allowed one wife, the rest of you can be servants." Just the though of that brings another laugh. "</p><p></p><p>Mina says, "Perhaps, or you could be his brothers, our cousins, or some other relation by marriage. And any of your could be the husband of one or more of the women. That's the beauty of it, unless you provide the people in this culture with the answers they generally won't ask, after all it would be insulting to accuse somebody's spouse or relative of being a servant, just as it would also be embarrassing to inadvertently raise a servant's status by mistaking them for a spouse or relative." </p><p></p><p>Lawrence says, “Huh. Good insight. So they'd rather be unsure, than cause insult. In any case we have to keep quiet while George does the talking. I don't know Arabic." </p><p>"Ill play the cook!" giggles Fish, while donning a robe. "I was thinking stable boy actually" say George to Ruby dryly. "That's fine too! I'd be honored: these are beautiful animals!" chirps Fish.</p><p></p><p>George dons his disguise. Ruby says, “Well, whatever we have to do." She follows Lawrence's lead and begins wrapping the robe around her. "This is a little large, isn't it? And won't it be hot with this big scarf thing on our heads?" George asks Mina "Once we enter the city do we have an idea of where to head within it's walls?" She replies, "My knowledge of that city is fifty years out-of-date, and I was only there for a few hours then. But you've already heard where the Frenchmen are staying, so that can work as a starting place for a scouting mission." </p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "Eventually we'll have to sleep too... at any rate, let's get going, I am sooooo excited to see the city!" Mina says, "Well yes, eventually, but I doubt anybody is tired just yet. It may be almost dawn here but we started today on Florida time, where right now it is only late afternoon or early evening." "I know, I was just hoping to get to stay in some swanky hotel!" Ruby pulls herself up on her Golden Eagle. </p><p></p><p>"Who's leading the way?" Lawrence states, "I think George should do it. It'll be less awkward when people ask questions." He climbs up onto his horse and rocks in the saddle experimentally. Fish vigorously rubs Cave Dweller on her nose, and then climbs on. "Lead on, Mr. Eastman!" he says cheerfully.</p><p></p><p>They continue to take a wide arch to the northeast before turning back to the northwest, eventually reaching the road north of Zakazik just as the first light of dawn is coming up over the horizon. Alsoomse has continued to use the magical fan to cover their tracks. Mina says, "Let's stop here for a short break until the sun begins to rise, that way we can honestly say that we stopped a few miles north of the city." </p><p></p><p>Alsoomse retrieves some water and grain from the saddlebags for the horses. Fish helps her. George hops down from his horse and visually checks the group to make sure everyone is wearing their disguises as well as are able. Fish helps George with his inspection, tweaking their disguises in accordance with his instructions. Lawrence plucks at his robe, getting it to settle right. In so doing, he gets tangled in it.</p><p></p><p>The early morning light is now filling the eastern sky, with the first hint of sun rising beyond the furthest dunes. The group heads off to the south along the road. Alsoomse rides further up alongside Fish, no longer needing to magically cover their tracks. The distant city begins to come into sight. A twenty-foot high stone wall surrounds the city, which appears to be approximately three-square miles in area. There are only around a dozen buildings of height higher than the wall, two of which appears to be elaborate castles. The giant balloon is tethered to the roof of another large building. A river flowing from the east appears to be the primary water source for the city.</p><p></p><p>Ruby comments, “Well, looks like it would be easy to dry this city out if someone wanted to. Hey Nana, what is that big castle over there?" She replies, "The largest castle further back is where the Sultan of Zakazik lives, he is the political ruler of the city. The other castle towards the main gate is where the military leader and the high priests reside." Lawrence comments, "Seems like the kind of place for us to avoid. Which gods do they follow here? We don't want to slip up and praise the wrong ones." </p><p></p><p>Mina replies, "They follow the Egyptian pantheon. In Zakazik Bast would be the primary deity worshipped. As this is the home city of the rebel leaders it would probably be best to avoid all references to the Greek and Roman deities. Lawrence nods. "I understand. Bast it is. Hermes forgive me." Ruby comments, "Oooooooo I bet it's real pretty inside that castle..." "I know we have a lot to get done here Mina, what should our first goal be?" asks George.</p><p></p><p>Mina replies, "I see three primary goals. First, seek information about what the Frenchmen are up to. Second, not get into trouble here. Third, have some fun." Ruby pats her grandmother on the back. "See Nana, THIS is why I love you so so much," she grins. "Let's have some fun!" Lawrence says, "I can see about the first, if there's any one who speaks English here. I can't make any guarantees about the second though." He winks.</p><p></p><p>Mina says, "Well, I agree with James that it might be a good idea for us to establish good reputations here. Through the use of the gateways this city is actually a lot closer to the Timucuan Conservancy than Jacksonville, two miles instead of twelve, so we may want to keep this place available to us in the future for supply and information runs." Ruby says, "I'm not sure I understand Nana... are you saying you would come here for supplies rather than stay in Florida?"</p><p></p><p>Mina replies, "Oh no, Florida will remain our base of operation. I'm saying that if we needed magical supplies, or other items that would raise suspicion in Jacksonville, this would be the preferred place to visit. Of course, that assumes that this doesn't soon turn into part of the British Empire, with all of their Victorian restrictions and control of commerce. "Ah." Ruby is silent. Then she asks curiously, "Does that mean there are lots of magical items available here?"</p><p></p><p>Mina laughs, "Of course dear. Did you think that those stories of magical flying carpets and genies living in lamps was just make believe?" Ruby's eyes go wide and for a moment they are unsure what she is reacting to. "Genies are REAL? REALLY? Can we get one here??" Mina laughs and says, "I think you have that backwards, Genies generally use humans as their play-things, not the other way around. Some of those 'Arabian Nights' tales are wishful thinking at best."</p><p></p><p>Ruby hmmmss to herself, pondering the new information. "Well the faster we get to town, the better I say. We can check everything out when we get there. Let's hurry." George is quiet. He smiles at the jokes, but he is muttering to himself, trying to figure out how to speak French with an Arabic accent.</p><p></p><p>As the horses near the city they see that while the metal gates on both sides of the wall are currently open there are nearly one-hundred armed guards atop the wall watching it and another twenty guards by the gates stopping and checking those entering and leaving the city. There are three groups in line ahead of the party wishing to enter. They are immediately behind what appears to be a very wealthy man and his entourage, who don't seem annoyed by the delay as it gives their servants time to feed and water the horses pulling the large silk-covered carriage that the people are riding in. </p><p></p><p>At the gate, the first group is a middle-aged pair of male arabs riding camels with two pack-camels. They appear to be some sort of merchants and are allowed to enter after each hands the head guard a wrapped package from the saddlebags.</p><p></p><p>The next group appear to be a poor extended family comprised of fifteen people of four different generations. They are all on foot, with two ancient donkeys pulling a cart piled with possessions. The man who is the spokesman offers the head guard a bottle of some type of alcohol. The guards takes one swig, spits it out, and then smashes the bottle on the ground. The guard then points to the man's teenage daughter and indicates that he wishes to be given her as the family's payment to enter the city.</p><p></p><p>Lawrence bristles at what he sees. He puts his head back down and whispers to George, "What can we do? Anything? I served in the war to free slaves. I don't want to stand by." Ruby steps forward, her eyes stormy, obviously about to make a scene. "Mr. Eastman," whispers Fish grimly, "we'll follow your lead!" He lifts the edge of his cloak to reveal the smoke grenade secured within. Fish takes a long and surreptitious look at the head guard. What does he see? Is he able to discern how deferential his men appear to his manner and command? </p><p></p><p>The head guard appears to be the most formidable of the men, standing at six-foot-four and 250 pounds of solid muscle. He appears to be in his early-to-mid-thirties and is attired in a leather tunic beneath his open robe, with a leather helmet sporting a red feather atop his head. Unlike the others, his beard and mustache are neatly cropped. There are visible scars on the man's neck and forearm. The sword hanging from the man's belt appears to be well used but also taken care of, with the morning sun shining off of the finely sharpened edge. The man appears to command the undivided attention of his men. Fish sidles up next to George, and mutters under his breath, "Mr. Eastman, the captain is a beast! And his men? They'd eat a scorpion if he asked 'em!"</p><p></p><p>Ruby steps forward and calls out in English, "What's holding up the line? It's hot as Hades out here!" "And we have horses to water!" shouts Fish. Ruby and Fish calling out in English has the immediate effect of the head guard shifting his attention to the party. He yells out in Arabic "The British are trying to attack our city disguised as Egyptians. All guns on them now! Prepare to fire." </p><p></p><p>Three dozen guards atop the wall as well as the half-dozen behind the head guard all immediately point their weapons at George and his companions. Ruby throws her hands up. "Whoops." George silently prays to Athena for patience to suffer fools and impatient wives.</p><p></p><p>He quickly calls out in Arabic "NO NO, Aasif, they are not British! They are merely servants whom I am trying to teach a little English to in case I need to sell them." Fish will enjoy playing the role, but he chortles inside hearing George call Ruby "a servant." George switches to French smoothly "We are here to seek the safety of the city before the British arrive" </p><p></p><p>George switches back to Arabic again "Sahibi, please we only need to get into the safety of the city. i shall beat my servant soundly later for their impudence I assure you." says George calmly as he flashes some Egyptian currency. Given that he is standing near Mr. Eastman, Benjamin flinches for added effect. The man comes forward towards George and stands so as to block the view of the hand with money from the men atop the wall. "And who exactly are you?" he asks in Arabic.</p><p></p><p>George smiles slightly as he passes the money over "I am Tariq Al-Farahad, I have traveled here from Medina. I have come to visit the wonderful shrines of Egypt. This was before I knew of the interfering British coming here. But I came here to pray at the shrine of Bast. You must be very proud to be from Zakazik." says George with a smile as he hands the money over.</p><p></p><p>The man gives George a big hug, simultaneously pocketing the money, and exclaims "Tariq, welcome to Zakazik." He then turns around and yells up to the guards on the wall, "We are safe, just a friend from Medina with English-speaking slaves to sell." Turning back to George he loudly sells, "I would suggest that you muzzle your slaves in the future."</p><p></p><p>George smiles and continues the sell by raising his hand menacingly at Fish and screaming at him in Arabic about what a worthless dirty dog of a servant he was and how he would get no food tonight and beaten until dawn. All the while George ad the caravan move along behind the head guard towards the gate. Fish flinches again and tears well up in his eyes.</p><p></p><p>The lead guard walks away from George and is summoned over to the fancy silk-covered carriage by a man wearing fancy robes with gold embroidery. The guard goes through a parted seam in the side and converses with somebody inside. When he exits the more observant party members notice he has a new pouch fastened to his belt. </p><p></p><p>He heads back up to the first group and says something in Arabic to the family. It is too far away for most of the party to hear, except that Alsoome's elvan hearing exceeds that of humans. She translates to the others stating "He is telling them to go into the city, that they do not have to give up the girl. He says that they owe their gratitude to Princess Neferka."</p><p></p><p>"There you go, old problems and new problems solved, now lets try to behave as we get through the gate" says George Mina gestures to the fancy carriage and says, "Problems solved, yes, but it also raises more questions. Princess Neferka is the daughter of Egypt's King Hakar. Why would a member of the Royal Family be coming here now to Zakazik? This city will soon be in the middle of a war zone!" </p><p></p><p>Lawrence suggests, "Maybe she's the adventurous type. Life as royalty seems like it would be stifling, especially for a young woman." George says “Ten to one it has something to do with that dirigible. Let's get in the city and we can put down some feelers on that." Ruby exclaims, "A real princess? I think we should try to meet her!" Lawrence states, "I think that'd be dangerous. She'll be well-guarded and guards tend to not like gawkers. The longer we stay in the city, the riskier it is. We should find the Frenchmen."</p><p></p><p>Benjamin steps near Ruby, muttering softly, "Speak English and they'll probably draw and quarter you!" He then drops back to speak with Alsoomse, hiding his mouth behind his hand, "Is there a blessing you have that might grant me the ability to speak their tongue? I'd like to keep it attached to my mouth, thank you very much, but I'm most useful to y'all if I can yammer with the locals..."</p><p></p><p>She whispers back, "I brought some Elixirs of Comprehension for the non-Arabic speakers, but I was planning to wait until we were somewhere more private to distribute them." Discretely grinning, Benjamin chirps his soft reply, "You're indispensable, you know that, right?" She smiles and replies, "And I suspect that Mina was rather wise to bring you on board. I believe that we each have indispensable skill sets."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 5414951, member: 8530"] Cha[B]pter 49 "Arrival at Zakazik” (Episode Two, Chapter Nine) - Thursday, September 7, 1882, 3:00 A.M. [/B] "I make friends easily, ma'am!" quips Fish with a sly grin. "Trust me when I say that the other 'stable boys'? They're as good a source of what the frogs are doing in town as any you might name! Who do you think shovels their sh**?" Fish blushes, "Oops! Pardon me, ladies..." Lawrence interjects, "Aye, Fish. Servants and the like see more than the high and mighty realize. And they're usually willing to give up their knowledge." Lawrence puts on the robe. He cinches the belt and wraps the scarf around his head. "So what about us? Are we George's servants too?" Glancing at Mina and Alsoomse he adds “Or wives?” "HA!," Ruby laughs, "George is only allowed one wife, the rest of you can be servants." Just the though of that brings another laugh. " Mina says, "Perhaps, or you could be his brothers, our cousins, or some other relation by marriage. And any of your could be the husband of one or more of the women. That's the beauty of it, unless you provide the people in this culture with the answers they generally won't ask, after all it would be insulting to accuse somebody's spouse or relative of being a servant, just as it would also be embarrassing to inadvertently raise a servant's status by mistaking them for a spouse or relative." Lawrence says, “Huh. Good insight. So they'd rather be unsure, than cause insult. In any case we have to keep quiet while George does the talking. I don't know Arabic." "Ill play the cook!" giggles Fish, while donning a robe. "I was thinking stable boy actually" say George to Ruby dryly. "That's fine too! I'd be honored: these are beautiful animals!" chirps Fish. George dons his disguise. Ruby says, “Well, whatever we have to do." She follows Lawrence's lead and begins wrapping the robe around her. "This is a little large, isn't it? And won't it be hot with this big scarf thing on our heads?" George asks Mina "Once we enter the city do we have an idea of where to head within it's walls?" She replies, "My knowledge of that city is fifty years out-of-date, and I was only there for a few hours then. But you've already heard where the Frenchmen are staying, so that can work as a starting place for a scouting mission." Ruby says, "Eventually we'll have to sleep too... at any rate, let's get going, I am sooooo excited to see the city!" Mina says, "Well yes, eventually, but I doubt anybody is tired just yet. It may be almost dawn here but we started today on Florida time, where right now it is only late afternoon or early evening." "I know, I was just hoping to get to stay in some swanky hotel!" Ruby pulls herself up on her Golden Eagle. "Who's leading the way?" Lawrence states, "I think George should do it. It'll be less awkward when people ask questions." He climbs up onto his horse and rocks in the saddle experimentally. Fish vigorously rubs Cave Dweller on her nose, and then climbs on. "Lead on, Mr. Eastman!" he says cheerfully. They continue to take a wide arch to the northeast before turning back to the northwest, eventually reaching the road north of Zakazik just as the first light of dawn is coming up over the horizon. Alsoomse has continued to use the magical fan to cover their tracks. Mina says, "Let's stop here for a short break until the sun begins to rise, that way we can honestly say that we stopped a few miles north of the city." Alsoomse retrieves some water and grain from the saddlebags for the horses. Fish helps her. George hops down from his horse and visually checks the group to make sure everyone is wearing their disguises as well as are able. Fish helps George with his inspection, tweaking their disguises in accordance with his instructions. Lawrence plucks at his robe, getting it to settle right. In so doing, he gets tangled in it. The early morning light is now filling the eastern sky, with the first hint of sun rising beyond the furthest dunes. The group heads off to the south along the road. Alsoomse rides further up alongside Fish, no longer needing to magically cover their tracks. The distant city begins to come into sight. A twenty-foot high stone wall surrounds the city, which appears to be approximately three-square miles in area. There are only around a dozen buildings of height higher than the wall, two of which appears to be elaborate castles. The giant balloon is tethered to the roof of another large building. A river flowing from the east appears to be the primary water source for the city. Ruby comments, “Well, looks like it would be easy to dry this city out if someone wanted to. Hey Nana, what is that big castle over there?" She replies, "The largest castle further back is where the Sultan of Zakazik lives, he is the political ruler of the city. The other castle towards the main gate is where the military leader and the high priests reside." Lawrence comments, "Seems like the kind of place for us to avoid. Which gods do they follow here? We don't want to slip up and praise the wrong ones." Mina replies, "They follow the Egyptian pantheon. In Zakazik Bast would be the primary deity worshipped. As this is the home city of the rebel leaders it would probably be best to avoid all references to the Greek and Roman deities. Lawrence nods. "I understand. Bast it is. Hermes forgive me." Ruby comments, "Oooooooo I bet it's real pretty inside that castle..." "I know we have a lot to get done here Mina, what should our first goal be?" asks George. Mina replies, "I see three primary goals. First, seek information about what the Frenchmen are up to. Second, not get into trouble here. Third, have some fun." Ruby pats her grandmother on the back. "See Nana, THIS is why I love you so so much," she grins. "Let's have some fun!" Lawrence says, "I can see about the first, if there's any one who speaks English here. I can't make any guarantees about the second though." He winks. Mina says, "Well, I agree with James that it might be a good idea for us to establish good reputations here. Through the use of the gateways this city is actually a lot closer to the Timucuan Conservancy than Jacksonville, two miles instead of twelve, so we may want to keep this place available to us in the future for supply and information runs." Ruby says, "I'm not sure I understand Nana... are you saying you would come here for supplies rather than stay in Florida?" Mina replies, "Oh no, Florida will remain our base of operation. I'm saying that if we needed magical supplies, or other items that would raise suspicion in Jacksonville, this would be the preferred place to visit. Of course, that assumes that this doesn't soon turn into part of the British Empire, with all of their Victorian restrictions and control of commerce. "Ah." Ruby is silent. Then she asks curiously, "Does that mean there are lots of magical items available here?" Mina laughs, "Of course dear. Did you think that those stories of magical flying carpets and genies living in lamps was just make believe?" Ruby's eyes go wide and for a moment they are unsure what she is reacting to. "Genies are REAL? REALLY? Can we get one here??" Mina laughs and says, "I think you have that backwards, Genies generally use humans as their play-things, not the other way around. Some of those 'Arabian Nights' tales are wishful thinking at best." Ruby hmmmss to herself, pondering the new information. "Well the faster we get to town, the better I say. We can check everything out when we get there. Let's hurry." George is quiet. He smiles at the jokes, but he is muttering to himself, trying to figure out how to speak French with an Arabic accent. As the horses near the city they see that while the metal gates on both sides of the wall are currently open there are nearly one-hundred armed guards atop the wall watching it and another twenty guards by the gates stopping and checking those entering and leaving the city. There are three groups in line ahead of the party wishing to enter. They are immediately behind what appears to be a very wealthy man and his entourage, who don't seem annoyed by the delay as it gives their servants time to feed and water the horses pulling the large silk-covered carriage that the people are riding in. At the gate, the first group is a middle-aged pair of male arabs riding camels with two pack-camels. They appear to be some sort of merchants and are allowed to enter after each hands the head guard a wrapped package from the saddlebags. The next group appear to be a poor extended family comprised of fifteen people of four different generations. They are all on foot, with two ancient donkeys pulling a cart piled with possessions. The man who is the spokesman offers the head guard a bottle of some type of alcohol. The guards takes one swig, spits it out, and then smashes the bottle on the ground. The guard then points to the man's teenage daughter and indicates that he wishes to be given her as the family's payment to enter the city. Lawrence bristles at what he sees. He puts his head back down and whispers to George, "What can we do? Anything? I served in the war to free slaves. I don't want to stand by." Ruby steps forward, her eyes stormy, obviously about to make a scene. "Mr. Eastman," whispers Fish grimly, "we'll follow your lead!" He lifts the edge of his cloak to reveal the smoke grenade secured within. Fish takes a long and surreptitious look at the head guard. What does he see? Is he able to discern how deferential his men appear to his manner and command? The head guard appears to be the most formidable of the men, standing at six-foot-four and 250 pounds of solid muscle. He appears to be in his early-to-mid-thirties and is attired in a leather tunic beneath his open robe, with a leather helmet sporting a red feather atop his head. Unlike the others, his beard and mustache are neatly cropped. There are visible scars on the man's neck and forearm. The sword hanging from the man's belt appears to be well used but also taken care of, with the morning sun shining off of the finely sharpened edge. The man appears to command the undivided attention of his men. Fish sidles up next to George, and mutters under his breath, "Mr. Eastman, the captain is a beast! And his men? They'd eat a scorpion if he asked 'em!" Ruby steps forward and calls out in English, "What's holding up the line? It's hot as Hades out here!" "And we have horses to water!" shouts Fish. Ruby and Fish calling out in English has the immediate effect of the head guard shifting his attention to the party. He yells out in Arabic "The British are trying to attack our city disguised as Egyptians. All guns on them now! Prepare to fire." Three dozen guards atop the wall as well as the half-dozen behind the head guard all immediately point their weapons at George and his companions. Ruby throws her hands up. "Whoops." George silently prays to Athena for patience to suffer fools and impatient wives. He quickly calls out in Arabic "NO NO, Aasif, they are not British! They are merely servants whom I am trying to teach a little English to in case I need to sell them." Fish will enjoy playing the role, but he chortles inside hearing George call Ruby "a servant." George switches to French smoothly "We are here to seek the safety of the city before the British arrive" George switches back to Arabic again "Sahibi, please we only need to get into the safety of the city. i shall beat my servant soundly later for their impudence I assure you." says George calmly as he flashes some Egyptian currency. Given that he is standing near Mr. Eastman, Benjamin flinches for added effect. The man comes forward towards George and stands so as to block the view of the hand with money from the men atop the wall. "And who exactly are you?" he asks in Arabic. George smiles slightly as he passes the money over "I am Tariq Al-Farahad, I have traveled here from Medina. I have come to visit the wonderful shrines of Egypt. This was before I knew of the interfering British coming here. But I came here to pray at the shrine of Bast. You must be very proud to be from Zakazik." says George with a smile as he hands the money over. The man gives George a big hug, simultaneously pocketing the money, and exclaims "Tariq, welcome to Zakazik." He then turns around and yells up to the guards on the wall, "We are safe, just a friend from Medina with English-speaking slaves to sell." Turning back to George he loudly sells, "I would suggest that you muzzle your slaves in the future." George smiles and continues the sell by raising his hand menacingly at Fish and screaming at him in Arabic about what a worthless dirty dog of a servant he was and how he would get no food tonight and beaten until dawn. All the while George ad the caravan move along behind the head guard towards the gate. Fish flinches again and tears well up in his eyes. The lead guard walks away from George and is summoned over to the fancy silk-covered carriage by a man wearing fancy robes with gold embroidery. The guard goes through a parted seam in the side and converses with somebody inside. When he exits the more observant party members notice he has a new pouch fastened to his belt. He heads back up to the first group and says something in Arabic to the family. It is too far away for most of the party to hear, except that Alsoome's elvan hearing exceeds that of humans. She translates to the others stating "He is telling them to go into the city, that they do not have to give up the girl. He says that they owe their gratitude to Princess Neferka." "There you go, old problems and new problems solved, now lets try to behave as we get through the gate" says George Mina gestures to the fancy carriage and says, "Problems solved, yes, but it also raises more questions. Princess Neferka is the daughter of Egypt's King Hakar. Why would a member of the Royal Family be coming here now to Zakazik? This city will soon be in the middle of a war zone!" Lawrence suggests, "Maybe she's the adventurous type. Life as royalty seems like it would be stifling, especially for a young woman." George says “Ten to one it has something to do with that dirigible. Let's get in the city and we can put down some feelers on that." Ruby exclaims, "A real princess? I think we should try to meet her!" Lawrence states, "I think that'd be dangerous. She'll be well-guarded and guards tend to not like gawkers. The longer we stay in the city, the riskier it is. We should find the Frenchmen." Benjamin steps near Ruby, muttering softly, "Speak English and they'll probably draw and quarter you!" He then drops back to speak with Alsoomse, hiding his mouth behind his hand, "Is there a blessing you have that might grant me the ability to speak their tongue? I'd like to keep it attached to my mouth, thank you very much, but I'm most useful to y'all if I can yammer with the locals..." She whispers back, "I brought some Elixirs of Comprehension for the non-Arabic speakers, but I was planning to wait until we were somewhere more private to distribute them." Discretely grinning, Benjamin chirps his soft reply, "You're indispensable, you know that, right?" She smiles and replies, "And I suspect that Mina was rather wise to bring you on board. I believe that we each have indispensable skill sets." [/QUOTE]
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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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