#17 - Desert Mystery

[jessimyre]

Around the outer lying villages, small towns and farms of the desert nation of Kelsaan (think disney's Aladdin, Arabia, middle-east etc) people have been snatched from their homes. Mostly children, teenagers and the occasional adult - people have vanished without a trace. Not usually many from any one place and never more than three or four at a time - nobody knows who has taken them, or why.

Our characters come together and meet at the Kirdish Oasis, a popular stop for travellers as it is reasonably central between mountains and the coast, and is on one of the main trade routes over land. There are one or two buildings here, as it is not a town however many people travel through. There is naturally a tavern where one can find rooms, women of 'negotiable affection', good drink and gossip, a horse/camel/livestock trader who also sells gear and feed for these animals and some people live in ramshackle lean-tos or tents and make a meagre living by telling fortunes, selling things or other such things. There is of course the oasis itself and many cozy nooks and crannies where people can just camp out under the stars. It is a fairly large area with some trees and bushes around the oasis....

And so it begins...

[jessimyre]

Amos smiled as the forerunners of the tribe rode over the last rocky hill and the sudden jewel of the oasis spread out below them. The day was growing late and the sunlight glinted brightly off the areas of water visible from this height. The sudden shock of green was a stark contrast to the reds and oranges and yellows of the desert.

There would be a cool bath and hot meal for everyone tonight, and after a long trek from Ardissia he was looking forward to it. He spoke to his camel and shifted his weight, giving it direction to carry on. Some of the younger lads were already racing - keen to see who would be first to the water. The horses were caught up in the excitement of the race and plunged forward, the boys whooping with glee and the women giggling at their light-hearted antics. In a cloud of dust they thundered into the Kirdish Oasis.

Amos tugged firmly on the rope that secured his own mare to the camel's saddle. "Husaa." he spoke to her, quietening her excitement and desire to race with the others. She danced along behind, tossing her head in impatience. Amos smiled as the lengthy caravan of travellers rolled into the oasis community, finding relief in the shadows of the trees that grew here. It was a testament to the Tsai-mount's incredible breeding and endurance that the horses were still lively enough to race and play after such a long journey across the desert. He was proud.

[blossom]

Roze knelt in the small tent she shared with her sister, counting her meagre takings for the day. Yasmin was off playing with a few other children at the oasis, but it was growing the late, the sun beginning to sink down below the horizon, its fiery orange rays staining the sky and the underside of the clouds.

A sudden burst of noise from outside drew her attention, and Roze lifted the flap of her tent to peer outside. The bangles around her wrists and ankles jingled as she moved, and a sudden gust of wind whipped the shawl from her head.

Outside she could see a caravan rolling into the oasis, with many smiling and laughing people walking along with it. She recognised them as one of the nomad tribes that wandered the desert, but from this distance couldn't be sure which tribe it was. She hoped it was one of the more supersitious ones - they generally gave her the best business.

Thinking of business drew her eyes back to the small pile of coins beside her. It would be enough to buy two bowls of broth from the tavern for herself and Yasmin. Her stomach growled just thinking about it. With a small, sad smile on her face Roze scooped up the coins and left the tent. She headed towards the oasis, looking for Yasmin's distinctive mop of curly hair.

[twilightblade]

Daniel kept his horse to a steady trot, and it flicked its ears at him and snorted as it smelled the water, stretching its neck out eagerly toward the oasis. He laughed and patted its golden, dusty mane. "Steady. We'll get there," he told the mare as she shook her head a little at the light pull on the reins.

As the tribe moved into the outskirts of the oasis, then closer to the buildings, he saw a girl darting out among the people, the bangles about her wrists and ankles chiming merrily as her dark brown hair fluttered in the light wind coming off the desert. The same wind that swirled suddenly, lifting the sand the mare's hooves kicked up and spinning it up into his face. He quickly shielded his eyes, and when he looked back at the street, the girl was gone.

He shook his head and turned the chestnut mare to bring her in closer to the tribe. As a foreigner, it was a good idea to have even a tentative association with an established local group.

[jessimyre]

As per the tribe's custom, Amos was among the first to reach the water, the racing boys halting impatiently at the water's edge to await their elders. As soon as the Le'dar, the tribe's chief had drunk, then the Shaman Morani was next, and then Amos. Once this custom had been observed, it was a free-for-all, with the boys riding their horses right into the water, the camels all lining up for their share and the little children squealing and splashing with glee, thoroughly enjoying themselves whilst the elder tribesmen and women moved a little further away from the raucous behaviour of the youngsters.

Amos allowed his animals to drink their share, having dismounted his camel and untieing his mare. He remembered his teachings, and gazed around, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of a busy community, living off the water and all it brought in the middle of nowhere.

He gazed further down the bank where some of his tribe's children had begun a game with some local urchins, splashing and laughing in and out of the water. One curly-haired mite caught his attention, she was quieter than the rest but moved like lightning with seeminly little effort. She glanced his way, even at this distance he felt her eyes boring into his for a moment before another child and the game caught up her attention again.

He noticed Daniel, a foreigner who had been travelling with the tribe since Ardissia - a good month ago - also watering his horse. He watched him for a moment before turning away. He was unusual but had a good heart and Amos had a lot of time for him. Having travelled with him for some weeks, Amos felt the solid foundations of friendship from Daniel. Something he craved as being an apprentice to the Shaman, the others in his tribe were respectful but he had nobody he could call friend as such.

Amos wordlessly handed the care of his animals over to one of the lads in charge of the herd and followed his master, Morani, to a large area that the tribe often camped in when they came to Kirdish. It was up to them both to bless the area before the first animal-skin tent was erected. Amos took his duty seriously.

[blossom]

As Roze approached the water she recognised the nomad tribe as the Tsai. One among their number, however, didn't look like he belonged among their number, with the paler skin of a foreigner. Yet it wasn't unusual for foreigners to travel with one of the nomad tribes, which Roze assumed he was doing as he edged in closer to the Tsai.

The shouting and laughter of children drew her attention away, and she finally caught sight of Yasmin among a large group playing by the water's edge. For a moment her sister seemed distracted by something, but was soon drawn back into the game. Roze glanced curiously in the direction Yasmin had been staring, but couldn't see what had facisnated the young girl.

"Roze!" Distracted, she turned. Seeing her sister Yasmin had left the game and was scrambling towards Roze with the waddling run of a toddler. As usual, Roze couldn't stop a smile from spreading over her face at her sister's lively, youthful exuberance. Bending down, she held out her arms and Yasmin almost fell into them as she stumbled on a stray rock.

"Ready for dinner?" Roze asked as she lifted the toddler up, as always feeling a pang of sadness at how thin and light Yasmin was.

"Dinner!" Yasmin crowed happily. Two bowls of thin, barely nourishing broth at the tavern was a poor description of 'dinner', but at the moment it was all they could afford.

"It's okay." As if she had read Roze's thoughts, Yasmin twined her arms around the older girl's neck and snuggled her curly head on her shoulder. "I like broth. We'll have enough for a big dinner one day."

Yasmin's stoic cheerfulness was enough to break Roze's heart. And it concerned her that once again her sister had seemed to know her feelings without even realising it.

[jessimyre]

Later Amos accompanied Morani to the tavern. He spotted Daniel and raised his eyebrows, "Are you going indoors tonight?" he asked as they passed.

Normally, he and his kind avoided the building, they had no need nor any like for the stifling, enclosed walls of the building when they much preferred the freedom and space out around the vast oasis where the air was pure and they had more space to move freely amongst their own people.

But tonight, Morani was in need to supplies and was meeting a trader to disuss pricing for his rare herbs and several other vital items for his status as Shaman.

[jessimyre]

Trista Appolis sat by the fire, roasting a desert partridge to her satisfaction. The pretty woman was alone, none other daring to sit by her - instead choosing their own spaces a safe distance from their murderous leader and lighting their own campfires. The band was large, some fifty-odd members scattered over the sands along the shelter of the rocks.

"Mi'lady," one of her men trotted up to her and raised his blade in salute, "Two men approach."

Trista looked up, her blazing eyes boring into his. "Bring them." she answered and then went back to her roast. Immaculately dressed in a beautiful soft green wrap, and soft spoken, she looked more like a gentlewoman of the empire rather than the ruthless leader she was. She bit into her meal, waiting for her men to bring the intruders to her.

[twilightblade]

Daniel glanced over at Amos as he went by, startled out of his thoughts.

"Yes. As soon as I take care of the mare."

He smiled faintly. "May the Wind be on your side as you bargain."

[jessimyre]

Amos smiled and raised his hand in a gesture of thanks and respect as he followed Morani to the tavern. As they entered the noisy, crowded, smokey and hot building he allowed his eyes to rove. As much as he disliked being cooped up indoors, he loved to come here. He loved to see the hundreds of different faces, some white and burned, some dark like himself and some as black as the night sky. He loved to listen to the laughter and the sounds of the dozen different tongues spoken under the same roof. The colour, the different cultures fascinated him.

He followed Morani through the crowd, picking their way between crowded tables and out to the centre courtyard which was equally packed however smelt much better under the open, starry skies. The man they were to meet was waiting for them at a table in the middle of the courtyard, positioned near the fire.

As Amos sat at his host's gesture, he noticed they were very close by to the curly haired cherub he'd seen playing earlier with the other children. With her was an exceptionally beautiful woman. They looked very much alike and Amos wondered whether they were mother and child. He noticed their tawdry clothing and the pitiful bowls of broth before them. Close to, the child looked thin and the young woman hungry.

[blossom]

“Well? How’s your broth?” Roze asked with a tired smile as she watched her sister eagerly slurp her thin soup. It pained her to see how anxiously the little girl ate her meal, all the while knowing it would never be enough to entirely satisfy her hunger.

Glancing up, Yasmin threw her a wide, gap toothed grin that made her face even sweeter. “Best dinner ever!” she announced happily, spooning up the rest and making tears start to Roze’s eyes.

She wished she had made more money to buy a more substantial meal, but all she could do was to push her own, half finished bowl towards Yasmin and in answer to the questioning look assure the child that she had no appetite, despite her cramping stomach.

As she waited for Yasmin to finish, Roze became aware that a shadow had fallen over her. Looking up she saw the inn’s owner, a large, well muscled man named Theo. He nodded to Roze, then ruffled Yasmin’s hair affectionately. Taking the hint, Roze rose and walked a few metres away; out of Yasmin’s earshot, but close enough to keep an eye on her.

“I’m sorry Roze,” Theo began in a low, grave voice, “I wish I could help you and your sister more. But I just can’t afford --”

“It’s all right.” Roze smiled reassuringly. “You do all you can, and we’re very grateful.”

“Your mother was a good friend of mine, and I am very fond of you and Yasmin.”

“I know. Please, don’t trouble yourself.” She laid a hand on his shoulder. “We do fine.”

Taking her leave of Theo she drifted back to Yasmin and slid onto the bench opposite her. The curly haired girl looked up and smiled brightly.

“I hope you told Theo he didn’t need to worry.”

Disconcerted, Roze took a moment to answer, but managed to compose herself and smile. “Yes. I did.”

[jessimyre]

Amos watched the woman give the child the rest of her own meal, and watched with a frown as she got up to speak to the owner of the tavern. They stood near him but the courtyard was far too noisy for him to overhear. He got the general idea however. When she sat down again, Amos excused himself from the table. Morani would take a long time haggling over price and he was not needed.

Amos approached the table and drew out a gold coin from his purse.

"My lady," he addressed the little child, "May I buy a smile from such a pretty face?" he crouched by her and winked at the woman so she would understand he was no threat.

[blossom]

Roze watched the young man warily, but his wink had seemed friendly enough and he didn't appear any threat. If she recollected correctly, the dinner partner he had temporarily abandoned was the Tsai's shaman, which would presumably make this man his apprentice.

Yasmin, who had been busy scraping clean the bottom of the bowl, looked up and her face split into a wide grin. "I saw you at the oasis!" she crowed happily, which made Roze finally relax. If the man had had any less than honourable intentions, the little girl would have felt it.

****

Vrej lay on his sleeping mat further into the desert, but close enough to see the lights beginning to appear from Kirdish. His tent lay rolled up with his pack, as it was still warm for the night and he had little need of its protection. His horse, a fine black stallion, was also tethered nearby, and was content with the nosebag Vrej had deigned to give it to stop its pitiful whickering.

His own stomach had been filled this hour past, and he lay now gazing up at the slowly emerging stars, content. He had been left to his own devices for the last few days, with no jobs to do. He hoped the break would not last much longer as he was apt to get bored if left to himself for too long.

[jessimyre]

"Ah," Amos returned the smile, "That you did. My family were watering their animals after a lengthy and arduous journey from somewhere far, far away." He placed the gold coin into the child's palm where it barely fitted and gently closed her fingers over it. "Your payment." he told her. He got up, bowed his head briefly to the woman and turned to leave them.

*****

Trista wiped her fingers clean on her kerchief and dabbed her mouth daintily as the two strangers were brought before her. She eyed the young man thoughtfully. He was handsome, and strong. She glanced at his companion, an older woman. Perhaps past her best physically but no doubt had some useful skills.

"You have no right to hold us like this!" The man demanded, "We are travellers and this road has always been open to all!"

"I have every right. You belong to me now." Trista answered. The man's face creased in anger and he went to step forward. Trista's men grabbed him and twisted an arm up behind his back, the woman wimpered in fear. Trista held up a hand for silence. She stood up and stalked around the prisoners.

"I don't like to harm the merchandise, however one more word out of you and I'll allow Raker to cut out your tongue." She said matter of factly. The man holding the woman leered unpleasantly. Trista raised an eyebrow.

"It's been a while, has it not, boys? Will she do?" she asked her men in general. They cheered.

"Keep her quiet then, and don't hurt her. Much." Trista said. She turned to the man. "Do not speak. Do not move. You will die." and then, "Take him to the ranks. Do as you please with the other."

Trista took her seat once again and stared into the flames. Jakk, her Captain, sat the other side of the fire as the woman was dragged, screaming, away. Somebody gagged her and the night once again became quiet.

"The Oasis tomorrow." he stated. "I've detailed the lads having their fun tonight to take the cargo up to the hills, the rest are prepared to join us."

"Good." Trista answered, "We'll need to be quick, and quiet. We'll need to move very fast. We'll take the shortcut back to the hills and through the caverns. That will bring us closer to the Empire much, much faster."

She dismissed him then, and retired to her tent. Nobody guarded Trista's tent as she slept. They were too afraid to.

[blossom]

Yasmin fingered the cold gleefully, delighting in the shine of the metal. Roze mouthed her thanks to the man as he bowed respectfully, but was sure she couldn't express how grateful she was for such a kindness. Yasmin, suddenly aware than the young man had turned away, called after him,

"Thank you! And you don't have to be lonely any more now, 'cos I'm your friend, see?" Blithely unware of how strange what she said must seem, she turned to Roze with a confused look. "What does 'arduous' mean?"

[jessimyre]

Amos froze as the cherub professed her friendship. He turned back to her in time to hear her question.

"Arduous means difficult, little maid." he answered for her. He crouched by her again. "And I thank you for your friendship. But friends must know eachothers names. I am Amos of the Tsai. May I ask yours?" he included the girl's companion in his steady gaze.

[blossom]

"Amos," the little girl repeated delightfully, breaking into her angelic grin, "I'm Yasmin. And this," she pointed proudly at Roze, "is my big sister Roze."

Slightly embarrassed, and uncertain of what she should be feeling, Roze shyly inclined her head in greeting at the young man.

[jessimyre]

"It is an honour to meet such beautiful ladies." Amos inclined his head respectfully at both. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Morani sealing the deal and the two men rising from their seats.

"However my master and I must return to our family for the night. I do hope to see my new friends in the morning, perhaps after our fast has broken." Amos answered. He rose, bowed to them and disappeared through the throng, looking for Morani who had already left his seat to return to the tribe.

[twilightblade]

Daniel waved at Amos as he wove his way thought the many people inside. "Amos! Amos!"

The man didn't hear him, instead going on to speak with two girls at the table. He smiled and gave the younger girl a coin. Daniel frowned slightly as he recognized the two, then smiled as he realized what Amos was doing. All was well.

He turned to make his way toward the shaman, but a hand gripped his arm and pulled him to a stop. Breath whispered warm on his ear. "Well, what have we here?" A voice murmured. "A bird from a warmer clime..." Frozen, Daniel only shuddered as a hand stroked down his face. "You remember us...don't you, little bird?"
He closed his eyes for a moment, fighting to regain himself, to tear away from the memories. Amos! he cried silently. Amos![/b]

[blossom]

"He called us beautiful!" Yasmin gurgled after Amos had vanished into the crowd. She was still playing with the gold coin, enjoying its cool sheen and pretty colour. Roze smiled indulgently.

"You are beautiful," she told her sister affectionately, reaching over to tussle Yasmin's curls. The little girl grinned brightly and rolled the coin across the table to Roze, who took it with cautious awe.

"That's gonna buy us a whooole big dinner, isnit?"

"Yes ... yes, it is."

[jessimyre]

Amos smiled to himself as he weaved through the crowd. The coin ought to buy the two enough food for a month. For that end, Amos did not worry or regret losing it.

He suddenly spotted Daniel and at once realised something was very wrong. The man was standing frozen - his face a mask of horror and another man, tall and powerfully built had his shoulder in a firm grip.

Amos shouldered his way through the crowd, slipping his hunting knife from its sheath as he went. He may be a shaman but the Tsai were warriors first and foremost.

"You will leave us. Now." Amos told the stranger in his ear so as to be heard above the crowd, flicking the knife against the man's midriff.

[twilightblade]

Daniel felt the man's hand leave his arm, and clenched his teeth, prepared to take desperate measures if he had to... He opened his eyes. And there was Amos. With a convulsive shiver, he forced himself to return to the mask he presented the world, his face smoothing back to impassive calm.

"Thank you."

[jessimyre]

"Come, let us find a quiet corner with the family to enjoy our meal. It is too crowded in here for my liking." Amos suggested, watching Daniel's face change. But he remembered the terrifying expression on his face moments before and wondered what may have caused it - why the man who had so hurriedly vanished into the crowd had so quickly brought this reaction from his friend.

[blossom]

It seemed Theo had seen their encounter with the young man, Amos, as before Roze even glanced around to look for him he had appeared with two plates of hot, steaming chicken, along with potatoes, carrots and a smattering of other vegetables, all cooked in the same juices. He set them down in front of them with a flourish and Roze, whose jaw had opened wide at the sight of such a feast, felt tears well up as she realised they would receive enough change from Amos' coin to buy them similar meals for the next month.

Not even questioning their good fortune Yasmin had already dug in and laughter surged up in Roze at the sight of the gravy smeared around her sister's mouth. Whispering a prayer of thanks, she lifted her own cutlery and began to eat.

[twilightblade]

Daniel nodded, not daring to do more for fear of breaking the tight, but fragile control he had over himself. He walked beside Amos, one hand now always hovering near the knife in his belt.