a single tavern, and even then not for too long.Meanwhile, the Reclamation Wars had begun in Tethyr, and there was also plenty of opportunity for an enterprising young person to claim a few coins here and there, performing and distracting the populace from the distasteful goings-on of the Reclamation. I began an informal cycle of passing from Zazesspur to Calimshan on an annual basis (you see, western Tethyr is too muggy in winter, and Calimshan is of course far too unpleasant in summer). I would tag along on various trade caravans making their way to and fro, all the while making new friends among the merchants (who are more than willing to barter food and shelter for a lively performance). Soon, the Reclamation Wars were over, people were cheering the rebirth of Tethyr through Queen Zaranda, and business was as good as ever. Of course, in my time working between Tethyr and Calimshan, many more adventures cropped up that will have to wait for another time to tell.

I was traveling north with Master Hashem's caravan (it was spring after all, and I wanted so to escape Calimshan before the real heat began; besides, I've traveled several times with Master Hashem, and he's always been a gracious host), and that's when I had this peculiar desert druid and a rather boorish elf woman approach me to tag along as a spare hand. What amazed me was that I was filled with an overwhelming sense that I needed to join them and aid them in their cause.

This is a new lifestyle for me, one that involves working to better what for all intents is another group of strangers. It is both surprising and troubling that I've become accustomed to being around a closer knit group. For all the banter, I think we are quite a credible force, one not to be trifled with. The rest, of course, remains to be written...

C
(That's my story, and I'm sticking to it)

Page 5