Re: A Journey Through the Dusts
Sir David Juandaastas sat in the air-cooled tent next to an al-Malik youth on his path of the First Mountain. David thought this must be the 'rich sheik' portion of that path. For the last two weeks, he had been out at this camp playing the respectful and dutiful noble to the youth because the boy's father was an al-Malik count on whose good will a Juandaastas manor house depended. So always keeping proper etiquette, he sat there and kept up a debate on some piece of lore or another.
He was not really paying attention to the conversation so was easily distracted by the rustle of the tent flap. Entering was a messenger from the Juandaastas regiment on Istakhr. Hoping that it was his recall orders so he could again command his troops, David stood up and accepted the messenger's letter, then after making sure the seal had not been broken, began to open it. Feeling expectant eyes on him, he dismissed the man to wait outside. He proceeded to open the letter and started reading:
"To Lieutenant David Juandaastas,
It is fortunate that I find that you are in the Gharbsahar desert. One of the House’s exquisite diplomatic householders has made remarkable progress in expanding our holdings on this world. Unfortunately, the people with whom he was negotiating require something other than firebirds. They have requested that we deliver 50 of those smelly gedamals to his people in the Ramal desert. Given that you are the closest person to carry out this mission, you have been selected to gather the gedamals and then escort them via an overland route.
We have sent along 36 soldiers from our garrison, which our experts say is more than you will need to carry out this mission. However, as your company is currently busy and it would take time to pull in replacements for them, we decided to redirect one squad worth of recruits fresh from Ravenna and add in two squads of Muster mercenaries, including that Vorox sergeant who is currently having minor problems in the Market.
I know you will use your troops well. Once you make it to Mostabul with the gedamals, a guide will be waiting for you who will be able to lead you right to their new owners.
Justice to the Aliens,
Colonel Magnus Juandaastas, Baron of the Juandaastas Estate, Samarkand."
David just managed not to curse at the thought of only having recruits and Muster mercenaries of unknown quality to make the trip across the desert. He turned to the al-Malik youth and informed him, "My House has a duty that they feel I would be best suited for. Therefore, in all sadness, I must beg your leave." The youth nodded his head and wished that their trip could have continued for a while longer but he understood the needs of a House.
David made his way across the tent and exited. He saw the soldiers assigned to him unloading themselves from the hopper. After a few moments to size them up, he could only come up with, 'Oh boy'. He turned and asked the messenger, "Why transport the gedamals overland instead of via that hopper?" The reply he received was, "The tribe said that the creatures' feet cannot leave the glorious sands of Istakhr or they become unholy. Or something like that." Accepting this, David thanked the messenger and wished him safe travels back to Samarkand.
He was about to walk over to the soldiers when he nearly ran into the giant wall of muscle that made up Sergeant Shikaalgargund, who stood out like a sore thumb in the desert environment. He took a few steps back to give him room and looked directly up at the towering Vorox. Noticing first the gray muzzle, then the eyes before the rest of the face, he gulped. It was only once he took in the whole face that he recognized it was Shikaalgargund and greeted him, "Sergeant Shikaalgargund, it is good to see you again. I did not know it was you that the letter wrote about. Did you enjoy the flight out here on the hopper?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Thu 09 Aug 2012.