CHAPTER 6
As the sun climbs higher in the sky, the oasis is abuzz with activity.
People are filling their canteens and water jugs, collecting figs and dates
from the trees, and cooking the tiny oasis fish for breakfast. The air is
thick with the smells of little fires and cooking oils accompanied by the
sizzling sounds of frying pans and the friendly chatter of the caravan. The
mood of the morning is one of great optimism and anticipation. Everyone is
enjoying the lovely oasis but is also quite eager to press on toward the
goal of the expedition. Everyone, that is, except the man in black...
The midnight-garbed thief hops up on his camel and starts heading south, his
saddlebags loaded with booty. An expression of grim determination is set in
his face, yet it does not last. He gazes back toward the oasis and sighs.
He turns to face the direction he's traveling, but stops himself, his eyes
practically popping out of their sockets.
He spies a guard walking toward a small hole in the oasis soil and adjusting
his belt, obviously preparing to relieve himself. The man in black leaps
from his camel and sprints toward the guard at a very unexpected speed. He
seems to float on the soft sand. He crashes into the guard, throwing the
both of them to the ground. As they stand, he grips the guards collar and
stares into his eyes.
"You fool!" yells the thief. "Don't you know what you're doing? The djinn
live in holes in the ground! Haven't you even read a single word of the
Prophet's teachings? If you spill one drop of your filth into that hole,
you will invite the djinn's wrath! They are unimagineably powerful and can
reduce you to smoldering ash in the blink of an eye! You're lucky I was
here to save you. It's obvious this prince of yours is unaware of the
hazards of this land. You should have gotten a guide when you were in town.
Why, I would make a better leader for this caravan than your prince!"
The thief lets go of the guard. The guard gazes at the thief for a few
moments, thunderstruck. He then shakes his head and bows. "Thank you, good
sir. I was unaware of the spirits that dwell here. I will inform the
prince of your offer. I'm sure that he will want to meet with you before
deciding to hire you as a guide."
With that, the guard runs off toward the prince's tent. The thief stares at
him, blinking. He then reaches out a hand and stammers, "Wait! That's not
what I meant!" but it's too late. The guard has already disappeared. The
thief falls to the ground, staring down at nothing and shaking his head.
"What have I gotten myself into?" he mumbles. "I should leave at once. Yes,
I must disappear before he returns and I am trapped in this march toward
death."
The thief stands and starts walking toward his camel, but soon halts
abruptly. A barely audible voice reaches his ears, as if coming from an
incomprehensible distance. It seems to emanate from the tiny hole in the
soil of the oasis. The man stands gazing at the hole, his eyes wide and
beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He trembles visibly and sinks to
the ground. It seems the thief is going to stay.
Oreja
Simone sat in the back of the wagon, fixing her fur and keeping her eyes on the stranger dubbed thief. She saw him attack the guard and shortly after all but fall as dead into the sand. He seemed to be mumbling to himself. Well, this is a strange fellow indeed, the guard was doing nothing more than preparing to use this giant litterbox. "Well, If he has a problem with that then surely we will not be getting along at all. Our race of being didn't choose the deserts to thrive in for nothing!" She laughed to herself. "Of course those times have passed now," she thought sadly. "Perhaps this great wonder we seek can be used to help them return anew." She could smell the rat nearby somewheres. Her stomach rumbled at the thought. The sand round her grew dark as some shadow was cast by a blocked sun. She knew not which way to turn. As she did no sense anyone there.
Purring
Madrina had spent the evening packing and had very little to ready except herself, her horse, and Kahpeh, her handsome lion. She had risen before daylight, ate light meal of fruits and nuts, filled containers with life giving water, then braided up her mass of hair to keep it from getting tangled by the wind. She then had walked a short distance away from the camp towards the east to give praise to the rising sun.
As she finished her prayers, she stood to stretch her body, looking for the whereabouts of Kahpeh. As she searched the sands for sight of her dear friend, she saw the strangest thing. The man in black was sneaking away from the camp, then suddenly attacked a man, who then bowed to him. Why would this man bow to someone who had just knocked him to the ground? She watched as the man scurried back to the camp while the thief seemed to debate whether he was coming or going. A chill passed over her body as the thief stared at the lump of sand. 'That man is connected to the desert spirits somehow! He will bear watching.'
Madrina returned to the campsite and loaded the white arabian stallion, Wind, with her packs. Kahpeh had quietly slipped into camp, black mane heavily dusted with sand. "What have you been up to?", she asked of her friend. "We leave shortly. You had best refresh yourself in the oasis waters before we leave." Madrina turned to her last pack, digging thru it to find her long, gauzy wraps which would protect her from the winds. Having placed the last of her packs on her horse, she turned in search of the nest and its occupant. 'Now where could that faery be? I wonder if she needs a lift once more?'
The camp was still bustling about getting ready for their departure, so Madrina wandered about looking for the faery, and wondering to where the Rat Captain had disappeared, and if the little cat was still with them. She didn't see that Og creature, and wondered if perhaps he had been off playing with Kahpeh somewhere. 'Oh! I must find Quintar! I should let him know what I saw occur earlier between the thief and that other man.' Another chill swept over her as she headed for Quintar's wagon.
Kit10ish
Sze had decided to stick close to the rats' captain this day and all days of this journey to come. He had magic about him, she knew that, and maybe combined with her own magic they would pose a force great enough to fend off whatever trials were to be put upon them this journey.
She had the powers of her wand, all unbeatable, but was resigned to use them with caution and only in the aid of others, others who would be deserving of such miracles. Then she would receive her own reward.
But for her own defenses she had little, some dust and wishes, and had to rely on her own cleverness and use of her small size to evade disasters. She had used her power of healing on this creature, she found him deserving as she could sense the kind nature of his soul. Also as far as she knew he was the only one who had joined this trek with no interest whatsoever in the prince's goal. But only sought a way to return to his sea going ship to fight pirates to win honor.
"He talks in riddles," she suddenly decided to herself. "Time will reveal those riddles' solutions. I can't wait to see the thing he calls ship."
She turned to her companion, "Well, Captain, we'd better be about our business. The caravan is gearing up for departure. We don't want to be left behind in the desert sands."
LilTrink
The rat captain didn't know what to make of the faerie. She seemed nice enough and certainly kind, but the way she looked at him as if in some deep thought and considering something about him... well no matter to me, he thought, I have my own business to tend to. It's good to have friends, or allies rather, especially here traveling with natural enemies and certainly I can count her as friend.
I've been gone from the ship for quite a time and putting down on the other side of a continent has made for a lonely voyage home. It is hard not to let thoughts escape, being alone. Too bad I can't just think myself home again and be there in moments. The queen awaits, and her storage of cheese is open to plunder. Let's hope the pirates are not aware of my absence.
"What's that, Sze? O yes, I am coming right along. I wouldn't want to be left here either."
Well..... she certainly seems friendly enough.
Rat-atat
Quintar the owl could see in the sands far below, that cat who had been traveling with them and had attended the campfire supper of Madrina.
High above the desert floor he circled in the sky. Homing in on the cat and planning his surprise.
"That ca'ts way too stuffy and serious, perhaps I'll catch her off guard and make her jump a little."
Quintar zeroed in on his target and started his descent. First circling lower and lower and getting his bearings and then diving straight as an arrow toward the furry form below.
Straight for her he headed, as his target grew larger from closing in.
He could feel the heat of the sun on his back, and as his dive neared its end he could see his shadow growing larger and framing the cat in his image.
"Success!" thought Quintar as the cat below visibly became unnerved, arched back, hairs raised, ears pulled down.
Quintar's plan was to land right in front of his game target. But that wasn't going to happen now as the scene below suddenly changed. It was him who now became unnerved as he realised there was no joke laying ahead.
"I may be a goner here. This is not good for an owl," thought Quintar. "Not good for an owl at all!"
Thundercat711
CHAPTER 6
As the sun climbs higher in the sky, the oasis is abuzz with activity. People are filling their canteens and water jugs, collecting figs and dates from the trees, and cooking the tiny oasis fish for breakfast. The air is thick with the smells of little fires and cooking oils accompanied by the sizzling sounds of frying pans and the friendly chatter of the caravan. The mood of the morning is one of great optimism and anticipation. Everyone is enjoying the lovely oasis but is also quite eager to press on toward the goal of the expedition. Everyone, that is, except the man in black...
The midnight-garbed thief hops up on his camel and starts heading south, his saddlebags loaded with booty. An expression of grim determination is set in his face, yet it does not last. He gazes back toward the oasis and sighs. He turns to face the direction he's traveling, but stops himself, his eyes practically popping out of their sockets.
He spies a guard walking toward a small hole in the oasis soil and adjusting his belt, obviously preparing to relieve himself. The man in black leaps from his camel and sprints toward the guard at a very unexpected speed. He seems to float on the soft sand. He crashes into the guard, throwing the both of them to the ground. As they stand, he grips the guards collar and stares into his eyes.
"You fool!" yells the thief. "Don't you know what you're doing? The djinn live in holes in the ground! Haven't you even read a single word of the Prophet's teachings? If you spill one drop of your filth into that hole, you will invite the djinn's wrath! They are unimagineably powerful and can reduce you to smoldering ash in the blink of an eye! You're lucky I was here to save you. It's obvious this prince of yours is unaware of the hazards of this land. You should have gotten a guide when you were in town. Why, I would make a better leader for this caravan than your prince!"
The thief lets go of the guard. The guard gazes at the thief for a few moments, thunderstruck. He then shakes his head and bows. "Thank you, good sir. I was unaware of the spirits that dwell here. I will inform the prince of your offer. I'm sure that he will want to meet with you before deciding to hire you as a guide."
With that, the guard runs off toward the prince's tent. The thief stares at him, blinking. He then reaches out a hand and stammers, "Wait! That's not what I meant!" but it's too late. The guard has already disappeared. The thief falls to the ground, staring down at nothing and shaking his head. "What have I gotten myself into?" he mumbles. "I should leave at once. Yes, I must disappear before he returns and I am trapped in this march toward death."
The thief stands and starts walking toward his camel, but soon halts abruptly. A barely audible voice reaches his ears, as if coming from an incomprehensible distance. It seems to emanate from the tiny hole in the soil of the oasis. The man stands gazing at the hole, his eyes wide and beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He trembles visibly and sinks to the ground. It seems the thief is going to stay.
Oreja
Simone sat in the back of the wagon, fixing her fur and keeping her eyes on the stranger dubbed thief. She saw him attack the guard and shortly after all but fall as dead into the sand. He seemed to be mumbling to himself. Well, this is a strange fellow indeed, the guard was doing nothing more than preparing to use this giant litterbox. "Well, If he has a problem with that then surely we will not be getting along at all. Our race of being didn't choose the deserts to thrive in for nothing!" She laughed to herself. "Of course those times have passed now," she thought sadly. "Perhaps this great wonder we seek can be used to help them return anew." She could smell the rat nearby somewheres. Her stomach rumbled at the thought. The sand round her grew dark as some shadow was cast by a blocked sun. She knew not which way to turn. As she did no sense anyone there.
Purring
Madrina had spent the evening packing and had very little to ready except herself, her horse, and Kahpeh, her handsome lion. She had risen before daylight, ate light meal of fruits and nuts, filled containers with life giving water, then braided up her mass of hair to keep it from getting tangled by the wind. She then had walked a short distance away from the camp towards the east to give praise to the rising sun.
As she finished her prayers, she stood to stretch her body, looking for the whereabouts of Kahpeh. As she searched the sands for sight of her dear friend, she saw the strangest thing. The man in black was sneaking away from the camp, then suddenly attacked a man, who then bowed to him. Why would this man bow to someone who had just knocked him to the ground? She watched as the man scurried back to the camp while the thief seemed to debate whether he was coming or going. A chill passed over her body as the thief stared at the lump of sand. 'That man is connected to the desert spirits somehow! He will bear watching.'
Madrina returned to the campsite and loaded the white arabian stallion, Wind, with her packs. Kahpeh had quietly slipped into camp, black mane heavily dusted with sand. "What have you been up to?", she asked of her friend. "We leave shortly. You had best refresh yourself in the oasis waters before we leave." Madrina turned to her last pack, digging thru it to find her long, gauzy wraps which would protect her from the winds. Having placed the last of her packs on her horse, she turned in search of the nest and its occupant. 'Now where could that faery be? I wonder if she needs a lift once more?'
The camp was still bustling about getting ready for their departure, so Madrina wandered about looking for the faery, and wondering to where the Rat Captain had disappeared, and if the little cat was still with them. She didn't see that Og creature, and wondered if perhaps he had been off playing with Kahpeh somewhere. 'Oh! I must find Quintar! I should let him know what I saw occur earlier between the thief and that other man.' Another chill swept over her as she headed for Quintar's wagon.
Kit10ish
Sze had decided to stick close to the rats' captain this day and all days of this journey to come. He had magic about him, she knew that, and maybe combined with her own magic they would pose a force great enough to fend off whatever trials were to be put upon them this journey.
She had the powers of her wand, all unbeatable, but was resigned to use them with caution and only in the aid of others, others who would be deserving of such miracles. Then she would receive her own reward.
But for her own defenses she had little, some dust and wishes, and had to rely on her own cleverness and use of her small size to evade disasters. She had used her power of healing on this creature, she found him deserving as she could sense the kind nature of his soul. Also as far as she knew he was the only one who had joined this trek with no interest whatsoever in the prince's goal. But only sought a way to return to his sea going ship to fight pirates to win honor.
"He talks in riddles," she suddenly decided to herself. "Time will reveal those riddles' solutions. I can't wait to see the thing he calls ship."
She turned to her companion, "Well, Captain, we'd better be about our business. The caravan is gearing up for departure. We don't want to be left behind in the desert sands."
LilTrink
The rat captain didn't know what to make of the faerie. She seemed nice enough and certainly kind, but the way she looked at him as if in some deep thought and considering something about him... well no matter to me, he thought, I have my own business to tend to. It's good to have friends, or allies rather, especially here traveling with natural enemies and certainly I can count her as friend.
I've been gone from the ship for quite a time and putting down on the other side of a continent has made for a lonely voyage home. It is hard not to let thoughts escape, being alone. Too bad I can't just think myself home again and be there in moments. The queen awaits, and her storage of cheese is open to plunder. Let's hope the pirates are not aware of my absence.
"What's that, Sze? O yes, I am coming right along. I wouldn't want to be left here either."
Well..... she certainly seems friendly enough.
Rat-atat
Quintar the owl could see in the sands far below, that cat who had been traveling with them and had attended the campfire supper of Madrina. High above the desert floor he circled in the sky. Homing in on the cat and planning his surprise.
"That ca'ts way too stuffy and serious, perhaps I'll catch her off guard and make her jump a little."
Quintar zeroed in on his target and started his descent. First circling lower and lower and getting his bearings and then diving straight as an arrow toward the furry form below.
Straight for her he headed, as his target grew larger from closing in. He could feel the heat of the sun on his back, and as his dive neared its end he could see his shadow growing larger and framing the cat in his image.
"Success!" thought Quintar as the cat below visibly became unnerved, arched back, hairs raised, ears pulled down.
Quintar's plan was to land right in front of his game target. But that wasn't going to happen now as the scene below suddenly changed. It was him who now became unnerved as he realised there was no joke laying ahead.
"I may be a goner here. This is not good for an owl," thought Quintar. "Not good for an owl at all!"
Thundercat711
The Story, The Beginning
