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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Karl Green" data-source="post: 1532261" data-attributes="member: 1467">As the meal is finished, the group head back to the vehicle. Dr. Clay directs the group towards the edge of town where you stop at once looks to have been a library, explaining this is one of the buildings he is working on restoring and that one of his workers here lived with the Tuareges for a time and should be able to help. There are about 20 workers up in scaffolding doing exterior repairs, while others are caring for the inside. Dr. Clay yells out to one in particular in Arabic and a younger African man comes over and quickly agrees to come along. Dr. Clay says as you get back into the vehicle "There are 10 or 11 tribes of Tuareges here in Timbuktu right now, and the ones that found Mr. Frankelle should still be around. It should not take to long to find them…"  A short ride outside of town and the group comes to a large tent city. Dr. Clay and the young worker (one Mohammad Rasim ibn Fallyd) start talking to some of the tribesmen in a mixture of French, Arabic and some other local tongues that the characters don't understand. As the party walks through the different camps they see men sitting under tarps, drinking tea and eating figs. Women are doing different chores, fetching water, preparing meals, etc. Camels are everywhere, and dogs bark as you pass. Some children can be seen, watching you as you pass but then to go back to playing.After 15 or 20 minutes, Dr. Clay and Mohammad direct you to a tent where everyone is asked to sit. Women in full hijab (full body covering robes; only their eyes and hands can be seen) offer each of the party tea and figs. Dr. Clay and Mohammad are both taking to one of the men seating here, speaking a mixture of languages. At first there seems to be some confusion, but after 15 or 20 minutes the tribesmen start nodding often and point to the north. Dr. Clay finally smiles and says "Well it would seem that they found Mr. Frankelle to the north of here about half a day ride by camel. No one could speak with him and so that brought him here. They insist that they found the poor man there and did not take anything from him… you see, they seem to be very concerned that we might believe them to be bandits. They found him somewhat to the west of the 'Route 12'. That is a poorly maintained road that runs between Timbuktu and Taoudenni. The desert covers for most of the route, but it is fairly easy to follow for a day or two at least. Did you have any other questions that you might want to ask them?" [OCC - it is around 9:30am in the morning right now…]</blockquote>

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