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Message: <blockquote data-quote="mikeawmids" data-source="post: 7948049" data-attributes="member: 6776411">Chapter Seventeen: Rooftop Rumble - Part OneSufficiently cowed to deter any foolish attempts to escape, Radi leads the party through the bustling streets of Katapesh. The city comes alive as the sun sets and the temperature drops, huge crowds gathering around storefronts illuminated by colourful lanterns, like moths drawn toward a flame. A makeshift ladder ascends onto a low, flat roof overlooking the street. Wooden planks have been lain between buildings to create a precarious rooftop thoroughfare across the city. An eclectic range of vendors have set up shop along this route, selling everything from esoteric texts to candied scorpion tails. Fuk lingers beside the latter, salivating greedily, until Misfar beckons for him to catch up. Radi stops beside a crude canvas shelter and motions toward the flap."This is my place. The scroll is inside. I'll get it for - Stop!!"Radi yelps as Nadiyya shoves him aside and ducks into the tent. Mundane (and most likely stolen) goods have been discarded haphazardly around the interior. A small, dark-skinned girl sits counting copper pieces into a small purse. Long, dirty brown hair hides her face."Brother?" the child says, "That was quick. How was your meeting?""I'm not your brother, girl." Nadiyya replies.The child looks up with milky white eyes and Nadiyya realises she is blind."I'm sorry, but we're closed right now. My brother will be back shortly, he will be happy to assist you.""Your brother is a thief who stole something precious from me," Nadiyya answers, "Things will go very badly for both of you if it is not returned immediately.""You don't frighten me." the girl lies, her voice quavering, "Radi doesn't steal. It's wrong to steal." Nadiyya laughs."Rumi!" Radi cries, bursting into the tent, followed by Misfar and Fuk (Zain is just too big to fit inside comfortably), "I'll give you your whispering scroll back, just leave my sister alone!""Best be quick about it," Nadiyya says, summoning fire into her hand.Radi scrabbles on his hands and knees and produces a small, battered lockbox from beneath a small mountain of junk. Nadiyta reaches over to snatch the Scroll of Kakishon from within."There!" Radi cries, casting the empty box aside, "You have your scroll, now leave us alone!""Oh, I can't leave before making sure you've learned your lesson...." Nadiyya says. Radi's gaze flickers fearfully to the flame still dancing in the palm of her free hand. "I should brand you as a thief, so that everyone who meets you will know your crime.""Nadiyya, no!" Misfar roars, grabbing her by the arm, "What are you saying? Stop this, now!"Nadiyya spins on the old elf, eyes blazing. Flames erupt over her entire body and Misfar must snatch his hand away to avoid burning his fingers. Radi and Rumi cry out, retreating against the far wall of the tent, eyes screwed shut in terror. Despite the fierce heat, Nadiyya retains enough control to stop the flames spreading any further.Just as things are getting out of hand, a new voice calls from outside;"Radi! Radi Hamdi! Come out, Radi Hamdi, or we will have to come in!""Another satisfied customer?" Fuk asks."That sounds like Tamir, from the One Source guild." Radi says, "He must have come looking for me when I didn't show up for our meeting.""He was interested in buying the scroll?" Misfar asks."Yes! He offered me 30,000 gold, more than enough for Rumi and me to get away from this whispering cesspit once and for all!""You're making deals with the Jackal now?" Rumi shrieks, beating her tiny fists against her brother's chest, "Radi, you idiot! You know what those One Source creeps are involved in! How could you be so stupid?!""Radi Hamdi, you are testing my patience," Tamir shouts from without, "We had a deal, Radi Hamdi. Deliver the relic or we will burn this entire slum to the ground.""Oh, so he wants to play with fire?" Nadiyya grins, "Well then, lets play."TBC</blockquote>

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