Empire of Sand

[Yellow Sign]

Dihara Zhoon was angry.

The caravan was stopped at a well and the men where pulling up hides of water for the animals. Smelling the water, the donkeys and horses were restless and they bayed nosily. Several of the servent boys where having a hard time controlling them. The hot wind blew strongly across Dihara's face. She had pulled a scarf over her face to keep the sand out of her mouth and nose. Even with the strong wind she could still smell the wagon driver next to her. She doubted if the man had ever bathed in his life. She then looked back into the wagon itself and cursed under her breath. The linen wrapped form of Baala's corpse mocked her. How could he have been so stupid. You always check your boots before you put them on. The black scorpion's sting was very painful. She had to listen to his screaming for almost a hour. He was suposed to guard her. Not get himself killed halfway to Skuld. Her hand pressed against the dispatches that the Red Wizards of Thay had given her to take to their agent in Skuld, a scribe named Senenmut. There had already been one attempt to steal them already and without Baala to guard her back a second attempt could be fatal. She need to find someone to help her but who? Up ahead she spotted the caravan master, Paser talking to a darkskinned black haired woman. The woman had layed two antelope at Paser's feet and they seemed to be bargaining. Dihara's mouth watered. At least they would have fresh meat tonight. Dihara watched the young woman with interest. She had a large longbow on her back and a sword on her hip. She looked agile and capable. Then a idea begin to bloom in her mind.

 

[Yellow Sign]

Nazra was worried.

He stood straight and waited as Officer Bak of the city police looked over the body of Tetynefer, the Pharoah's Overseer of Construction and Monuments in the city of Skuld. Officer Bak was still looking at the body when he said. "So you found him like this?" "Yes, Sir. I was making rounds and I heard some noises coming from Master Tetynefer's chamber. When I entered, I saw him trashing about on the floor. His face was purple and his hands where at his thoat. After a few seconds he stopped thrashing about and lay still. I checked his pulse and he had none. I then called Harmose, the chamberlin, who came imediately." Officer Bak turned to look at Nazra. "Well very well then you may go. Send in Harmose."
As Nazra left his thoughts raced. He had only been employeed here as a guard for almost 3 weeks and then this. Why did I have this have to happen to him. Harmose the rat faced chamberlin looked scared as Nazra came out of the door. "Well, Well!! What is going on in there?" he said.

 

[Yellow Sign]

Akhuraau was curious.

In answer to the summons, Akhuaau strode purposefully into the office of Commander Nebwa of the Order of the Sun and the Ankh. The Commander was standing over a wooden table with a tall bald priest of Thoth. Scrolls where scattered over it. "Oh, Akhuraau, prompt as usual. This is Menkheperre, Head Librarian of the Temple of Thoth." The tall light skinned priest nods to you. "I have heard some good things about you, Akhuraau." As Akhuraau looks about the room he sees a short slender slave with bronze skin and brown eyes. His eyes dart about the room and he appears to be absent mindedly biting his finger nails.
Nebwa stands straight and addresses Akhuraau. "I know you were expecting to join your unit in the north but I am afraid that is impossible now. I have an important task for you that will require you stay in Skuld. The Pharoah has asked me to look into the death of his Overseer of Construction and Monuments. He was found dead in his home yesterday and it is believed he was murdered. I want you to investigate this and find out what happened." The priest of Thoth then speaks up. "In addition to his death, several priceless scrolls were in Tetynefer's possession when he died. A search of his home has failed to produce them. My servent Ihamsa here will aid you in your investigation." The priest points to the slave. "The scrolls would be in a alabaster box with the carving of the god Horus-Re hunting crocodiles. The scrolls themselves would be made of a rare red papyrus. A prompt and quick resolution to this case is essential." The Commander hands you a scroll. "This gives you the authority to investigate all matters concerning the Overseer's death. His home is located on the Street of Jackels in the Guild Ward. May Horus-Re guide your hand!"

 

[Yellow Sign]

Ihamsa was nervious.

As he walked beside the tall warrior who he had been assigned to work for, Ihamsa could see the sun reflected off The Solarium, the glass topped pyramid that was the seat of the Pharoah and the center of the worship of Horus-Re. It's beauty stilled his choatic mind for a second before his thoughts returned the the task at hand. The Head Librarian had assigned him to the recovery of the ancient Scrolls of Nephanete which had disappeared a few nights before. The last person to look at them was the Pharoah's Overseer of Constructon and Monuments. Now he was murdered and the scrolls where not in his home. Ihamsa knew little about the scrolls as the priests where keeping their lips shut on why they were so important. Ihamsa wondered what kind of man this Akhuraau was.

 

[Yellow Sign]

Sekhmet was frustrated.

The caravan boss was as stuborn as the mules in his pack train. He was only offering half of what the two freshly killed antelope were worth. The wind was starting to kick up alot of sand and it was starting to get in her eyes. She was worried that a sandstorm was brewing and wanted to get back to her meager shelter before dusk. Hunting had be bad of late and she lucked out to find these two antelope. Her self imposed exile in the deserts of Mulhorand was starting to wear on her. She missed the company of others and though the desert had it's own beauty. She wanted something more exciting to look at than sand and more sand. Thats when she sensed someone staring at her. As she looked up she saw the robed woman jump from a wagon and begin walking towards her.

 

[Thordain]

Sekhmet tried not to sigh as she brushed her arm over her almond shaped eyes.

These antelope are the best food you'll find for weeks in this desert. I've stated my price. If you don't want them, I can skin them for jerky myself and sell it for twice as much to passing caravans.

She glanced at the approaching woman. The woman was clearly not Mulhorandi. Probably some well to do traveler paying this caravan for passage.

Perhaps she grows tired of the caravaneer's incessant whining, and will tell him to just buy, thinks Sekhmet wearily.

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

Nazra bowed slightly and turned to leave the room, keeping his expression neutral, so as not to betray his nervousness. Only three weeks on the job and someone had died or even worse, perhaps had been murdered. This incident wouldn't do anything good for his professional reputation. As if the burn scars on his face weren't already enough to cause him unease around others, now someone had died on his watch. Walking back out of the room, Nazra spotted the chamberlain.

"Master Tetynefer is dead. Officer Bak is waiting for you inside. He asked that I send you in."

After relaying his message to the chamberlain, Nazra took up a position near the door, to wait in the event that Officer Bak had further need of him.

 

[Sleeping Dragon]

Ihamsa stood off to the side biting his nails as the tall holy warrior strode into the chamber. Nervously wondering what kind of man he had been assigned to, Ihamsa committed the description of the box and the stolen scrolls to memory. The Commander bid Akhuraau farewell, and Ihamsa slunk off after him, finding it difficult to keep up with the taller man's purposeful strides. Every few seconds Ihamsa looked about for any signs that they were being followed. Eventually the two came within sight of the Solarium, the seat of the Pharoah, and Ihamsa finally caught up to Akhuraau. "Where should we begin, master? Ihamsa asked, flashing an ingratiating smile.

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

Dihara imperiously strides over to the caravan master and Sekhmet.

Paser! My masters have paid you well for my passage and I'm sure you wish to stay in their good graces. I tire of trail rations. Pay this woman her price!

She then turns to Sekhmet, eyeing the clean wounds in the necks of the antelope.

Woman. Yes you! You look to be skilled with the weapon you carry. What's your name?

 

[Thordain]

Ah finally, she's telling the caravan master to buy, justr as I thought, thinks Sekhmet to herself.

She is quite arrogant, even for a human!

Amused, Sekhmet turns to the woman.

My name is Sekhmet, she says, hiding her smile.

What is your name?