The wet season had wrought drastic, if temporary changes to the southern landscape.  The plains grasses, which normally laid low and parched, flattened by harsh winds and desert conditions, now stood waist high and as bright green as the shallows of Keyhole Bay in summer.  In the span of only a few weeks, the immense stretch of badlands had turned from wasteland to oasis.  Swept by violent wind and rain storms that had drawn the plain with colors of life as far as they eyes could see.  The background of green was spattered with the yellows and oranges of wildflowers, not to mention the greedy reds of desert scrub.

Sajaa spread her palms out at her sides, letting the soft, underripe seed-ends glide across her hands like the bristles of a painter’s brush.  Over her shoulder, the subtle eddies of pre-dawn light warmed from blue to cherry over the hillside and cast endless shadows into the distance.

The world seemed in a sleepy state of half-morning where it was just as likely for the ethereal pull of the night to draw the earth back into darkness without having ever seen the day.

Sajaa’s attention is suddenly broken.  Ahead of her, standing at the bank of the Makarem and facing due south as if preparing for prayer, stands a woman.  A woman dressed in full black robes and headdress.  Without even thinking, Sajaa knows it is her mother…  It only takes another instant for her to know something is wrong.

Sajaa grips her fists tight and launches herself forward off her back foot into a sprint, bringing forth a dull ache from the muscles of her leg, where mere weeks ago she had been shot near clean through with a fine-point arrow.

The pain is nothing however, nor is the choking grip of the high grass as it pulls at the top of her feet at every running step.  Sajaa dashes down to the low bank, her heart thrumming in her chest as her feet fly.  Sajaa calls out, but the word seems feeble on her lips as her breath heaves in and out with exertion.

The first crimson rays of the dawn splash across the river and Sajaa reaches forward, her hand touching the black cloth at her mother’s shoulder.

Indeed, something is wrong.  For Sajaa’s hand does not meet the firm response of flesh under the garment but instead the folds of cloth crumple under her touch like ash.  The black fabric twists…  Bringing around the front of the robe as the whole mass collapses in slow motion to a heap on the bank.  All that is visible within the hijab as it falls is the smallest crease of face.

In life, Sajaa’s mother had beautiful eyes.  Not the bright gold of Sajaa’s own, but endless pools in the deepest shade of chocolate.  These eyes however, were not her mother’s, but instead fonts of blood that spilt out in all directions.

Sajaa’s scream erupts from her lips, her body violently arching upwards in her bed.  It only dawns upon her slowly… first, that she has been dreaming and second, that every muscle in her body is flared in tension.  As she forces her shoulders back down to the slab, she becomes aware of the sticky sweat which clings to her body, of the dull and intruding pain in her quadricep, of her still racing heart, and lastly, that Lisa is propped up in a bed next to her, her book of spells splayed open upon a middle page, and a look of concern etched on her face.

It had been nigh on two months since their harrowing escape from the caves and nothing in the meantime had seemed to get any easier.  They had spent the first night of their escape out of doors, Lisa administering to Sajaa’s worst wounds, pushing the arrows clean through Sajaa’s flesh so that the arrowheads could be broken off and pulled back out.  Despite the roll of cloth for her to bite down on, Sajaa had nearly screamed herself horse and even Lisa’s healing magic seemed to offer little comfort.  Riding back to Three Corners in the morning had been an agony which did not even end in safety, for Lisa had turned the horses before their approach, recognizing two of the fighters from the caves who now stood guard at the gates of the town!

Though the two women had found refuge at a nearby fort, only slowly did Sajaa’s wounds begin to mend.  Two months on, Sajaa had little to show for the time lost, though at least her leg was beginning to bear her weight.  On the other hand, Sajaa’s inactivity had left her hours on end to dwell with her guilt, not to mention her dreams of family which had begun to haunt her.

A rap on the infirmary door brings Sajaa crashing back to her senses.

”Everything all right?”

The voice is that of Major Brashear, the commander of the fort and a man who has visited Sajaa in her sickbed several times.  Slowly, the door begins to open, just a crack at first, the toe of a worn leather boot pressed into the open space.

OOC:  Welcome back to me!  Also, everyone else!

It's 0700 on March 10th.  It has been two months since Sajaa and Lisa escaped from the caves.  In that time, her arm has fully healed though her leg has stubbornly refused to get significantly better until recently.  Despite the fact it is weight bearing now, it is still tender.  In game terms, any attempt to use extra effort will require a roll against HT.  Failure means you aggravate the leg injury and fall, critical failure means the injury fully flares back up and becomes crippled again (funny bone injury).

During the same period, Lisa can have been much more active.  I will leave it up to you as to your actions – you could have been helping the watch at the fort, healing, or conducting patrols with some of the soldiers to pay your way.  You may not however, say that you’ve been spending your time spying on Three Corners, or doing anything else that would have an affect on the outcome of the game.

Rebounding from the Three Corners, or more specifically from its gate guards previously encountered in the caves, Lisa takes their sad little processionto a nearny city. There she gains a sackful of fresh bandages and dressings, gets the horses shod, divests a lot of encumerance and looks for some equipment. She judges it unsafe to stay in the city for who knows what spies the folks from the caves may have? Certainly those that left the caves had been trasnporting something! And that would need a market.

By chance Lisa finds nearby but somewhat undermanned fort where she seeks shelter hopefully for Sajaa to make a full recovery. She cleans her friend, changes her dressings, feeds her sugary liquids and expends her healing magics (unseen by others) much as one might care for a babe. Whether the fort commander has taken a shine to them or is noble of character or merely some sort of duty of care, the commander grants them continued shelter and becomes a frequent visitor. For the first weeks Lisa's attention and enrergies are completely consumed with getting herself and Sajaa back on the mend. Her patient stabilises and the torso and arm injuries start to heal nicely but the leg wound far less so, and is beyond Lisa's magical abilities to completely repair.

With Sajaa moving between disturbed sleep and outright unconciousness, she negotiates with Major Brashear, the commander. In return for Lisa keeping watch and going on guard patrols she arranges for someone to keep a watch on Sajaa. She helps with the horses and, with Sajaa's arm almost healed, takes some off duty time to practise intensively with sword and shield against the much stronger soldiers. While they initally laugh at her attempts to build up her strength through exercises, walking around straight-armed with pales of water, her perseverence wins some them over and they tell others to bite their tongues.

At night when alone with Sajaa, Lisa gets through quite a lot of lamp oil as she studies one very important and very confounding almanac. She unravels a few of its secrets but most elude her.

After many weeks, eight, or was it nine, the door is knocked and Major Brashear's voice calls out, ”Everything all right?” Before Lisa can reply, Sajaa's eyes snap open and there is clear intelligence behind them. Her friend has returned to the land of the conscious!

To the opening door Lisa calls, "Yes, thanks, Major," as she rushes across to kneel by Sajaa. "Nice to see you back, girl! Do you understand what I'm saying? Do you know what my name is?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:30, Wed 03 May 2023.

Still trembling from the dream, Sajaa turns her head to behold the concerned, lovely face of her raven-haired friend.  Sajaa’s skin is clammy and her hair, pillow and blankets are damp. The image of her mother’s face, with gore-dripping holes where her eyes had once been, is still clear in her mind, but Sajaa manages a smile.

”Yes, Lisa, of course I know your name and understand what you are saying.” Sajaa replies patiently. ”As I knew yesterday and the day before and the day before that …” She pats the woman on the arm and smiles again. To Sajaa, Lisa Rufbin has always seemed a bit … touched … at times.  Though of keen intellect, Lisa often appears lost in childlike whimsy.  Forgetful. Absent-minded.  Scatter-brained as Major Brashear once described in good-natured confidence to Sajaa.

But if Lisa may be flighty at times, she has been a loyal friend.  She saved Sajaa’s life at the Caves with her magic and her kindness. She stood by her for weeks of grueling convalescence – fed her, bathed her, nursed her to health. And, most importantly, with her endless cheer, Lisa had held back the dark, brooding thoughts that plagued Sajaa’s every waking moment. Though her broken body is slowly healing, guilt is a wound that has festered, unchecked since the battle at the Caves.  Each morning, noon and night, she has turned to the east, prostrated on her blanket and repeated her prayerful mantra, Sayyidul Istighfar, seeking Allah’s forgiveness for her sins.  Of the murders of her husband and his men … of the abandonment of her mother and sisters who must surely have suffered the consequences of her crimes…  Of defying God’s Laws over and over.

But what she did at the Caves of Chaos was the greatest of all sins.  In her pride … in her vanity, she defied the orders Rolf and Gustav had given her – to only scout out Norla’s hideout – and chose instead to engage the enemy.  Why?  To prove herself?  To show the men that women can be great warriors, too?  Whatever it was, the impulsive act led to a disaster … and drew her comrades in to rescue her, Lisa and Terri … who were then ambushed by Norla’s troops.  And one-by-one her comrades fell.  And when she should have fought to the end and died bravely with them, Sajaa, the despicable, loathsome coward that she is … ran away...

She draws in a breath and steels herself, then sits up and swings her legs off the edge of the bed.  Her arm has healed but her leg is still a constant reminder of the arrows that crippled her.  She winces as she moves, the pain shooting up her spine. But she notices, for the first time, it is not as sharp as it was the day before.

Birds chirp outside the window.  She looks around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings. The room is small but cozy, with a comfortable bed and a small table by the window. There are a few books on the shelf – the massive tome Lisa has been poring over by candlelight every night – and others which remain mysteries to the illiterate Al-Wazif girl.  Some herbs are drying in the corner, and a pot of spring flowers – sent by their generous host, the Major, adorns the windowsill.

Sajaa grits her teeth and rises stiffly from the bed. She limps, nude, to a corner of the room and, unabashed by Lisa’s presence, squats and tinkles into a chamberpot.  Then she moves to a pan of water at the table and washes her hands and face.  She steps to the window and warms herself in a beam of sunshine as she admires the rugged countryside rolling out before her.

Lisa frowns to notice a fresh cut among the row of numerous, white linear scars marring the ebon skin of Sajaa’s upper left thigh – each cut of equal length, uniform and clearly self-inflicted.

On the chair is a garment Lisa laid out for her.  Sajaa slips it over her head and pulls it down over her slender figure –  a sleeveless, ankle-length kirtle which she ties at the waist with a simple hemp belt.

”Lisa, this morning I am taking Black Lady for a ride.” She announces as she combs her fingers through her long black hair, no longer feeling exposed without her hijab. ”We both need the exercise and it is such a beautiful day.  Greener than my homeland at this time of year.”

She turns, kneels gingerly, and slides out a wooden footlocker from under the bed.  She opens the chest and begins dressing in her leathers, which are still stained with splashes of brown from the battle.

”I am going to Three Corners to see about those minions of Norla’s whom we spied guarding the village gates when we returned from the Caves. They will know of Norla’s and The Archer’s whereabouts … and of the traitorous, Demon-Boy Runt, too.”

Now clad in her battle dress, she reaches further beneath the bed and draws out a prayer blanket.  She lays it on the mattress and unrolls it to reveal the beautiful, ivory-handled, bejeweled saber that she plundered from the still-quivering corpse of the Sheik, Aarif al-Jalali, her husband of three hours. She slides it from its scabbard and admires the razor-edged blade. Her golden eyes still fixed on the glimmering steel, she says:  ”You may come if you like, Sister, but I implore you, not to.  For there will be blood.”

She returns the weapon to its scabbard and buckles the swordbelt about her waist.

She then steps over to Lisa and looks her firmly in the eye and says: ”But if you do choose to come, Lisa, know You this.  I shall not slow nor stop for you, should you tire or are hurt, or afraid, or are taken, as I know you would for me.  Because you are a good person and I am not. I thank you for all you have done for me.  But God has turned His face from me.  My family is gone. I have nothing but this sword to feed me and Hate to drive me.”

She bends forward and kisses Lisa on the mouth.  Then she straightens, takes up her helmet and satchel, and limps to the door.

She turns.

”No more am I Sajaa, Daughter of Kassem the Candlemaker.  No more am I Mitra the Fugitive. All that I am. All that I shall ever be from this day forward until I die in bloody glory, God willing, is: Intiqam”

OOC: Sorry for the long delay and the long post. I hope I didn't mess up the storyline any. Intiqam is Arabic for Vengeance.  Sajaa’s goal is to go to the Major and thank him for his hospitality, then go to the stables to fetch her horse, and ride to Three Corners (how far away is it?)  If its far, she’ll use whatever monies she has to buy rations. She'd like to pick up a buckler if possible, too before she gets into the thick of things.

"O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no deity except You. You have created me, and I am Your servant,
and I am upon Your covenant and promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done.
I acknowledge Your blessings upon me and I confess my sins, so forgive me, for no one forgives sins except You."

This message was last edited by the player at 11:30, Mon 08 May 2023.

The dream haunts Sajaa no more than her waking thoughts, and she gives it little attention, instead focusing on Lisa's questions and her own nudity.

Taking his time in opening the door, the Major arrives just to witness Sajaa's moment of monologue.

"Intiqam?"  Brashear asks, quirking his eyebrow.  "Vengeance burns quick and hot but dies just as fast.  True justice knows patience."  Without so much as missing a beat, Brashear switches his tongue to Arabic.

[Language unknown:  "Wiwh erslareen t oulma on e Ad ave oerproast hatas oeressnte ine fowhi, ei atceun oer: Ncast sheticday an erek thelinstaastenc.^ar"]

It is not the first time the man has spoken Arabic to Sajaa.  It is however, the first time he has quoted scripture to her.

Realizing that he has left Lisa somewhat out of the conversation, Brashear turns his head to the other and smiles.  "Leaving then I suppose?  I wish both of you safe journey.  If you are going to the town, then God be with you, from what Giles has told me the whole place is a mess.  I've written to Broskow to try and talk sense into him, though I haven't received so much as a scrap of paper in return. From what he says it seems there are more and more easterners by the day and the locals are fleeing rather than coming."

Brashear expels a disgusted half-laugh before he continues.

"Actually, it's so bad, I've written to Craine.  I can't imagine they've condoned what's going on down here."

Brashear shakes his head.

"If there's anything you need, feel free to ask.  We don't have vast reserves, but we have enough to be getting on with.  Feel free at any point to return."

OOC:  There are probably many things that Brashear is at least vaguely aware of that you would like to know.  Offhand, I think he would have told you that Norla was setting up shop at the small chapel in the town.  He'll also mention that there has been significant growth since the last time you were there (more permanent buildings as opposed to migrant tents and the like).  Feel free to continue the conversation if there are any questions you want to ask him.

As for purchases:  there is a quartermaster at the fort who is happy to sell you a buckler, and if you want rations, they can be provided here as well.  Anything more exotic may require a trip (which Lisa may have done already, she had two months of down time).  Feel free to ask for any purchases in private - Lisa, I think you had a request as well, I can't remember if we had taken care of it.

1 Qur'an 2:190

Tears spring unexpectedly to Sajaa's eyes as Major Brashear quotes from the Book of Allah in fluent Arabic. The familiar words evoke memories of home, family, and community, causing a deep ache in her heart.

Lost in her melancholic reverie, Sajaa only half-listens when the man switches back to speaking in Anglish. However, her attention is immediately captured when she hears a familiar name.

"Good sir, did you say Giles? Giles Hind?" she interjects, her voice filled with urgency. "Friend of the Minotaur? We ventured into the Caves of Chaos with Giles last winter. He was gravely wounded. Do you have any information about his whereabouts, sir? I am eager to see him!"

Sajaa's words carry a mix of hope and concern, her desire to reunite with a member of her former party evident in her impassioned plea. She desires to tell Giles what became of Rolf and Gustav and Terri -- and to seek his counsel and support in her quest for vengeance.

She awaits Major Brashear's response, her heart pounding with anticipation.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:29, Thu 11 May 2023.

"I did."  Brashear responds with a hint of confusion at Sajaa's sudden urgency.  "Giles is one of my lieutenants, he's been taking up a post with Broskow as of late...  Assisting him in name, though really keeping an eye on him for me.  He's stopped by a few times and writes more frequently... I'm sure we could make an arrangement for him to meet you."

Brashear pinches his lips together for a moment, his brow furrowed.  "I had forgotten that Magnus and Giles had been with you at your first trip to the caves.  They are both quite well known here."

The Major laughs.

"Actually, they're part of the reason we're still here at all.  Saved the fort they did last summer, broke a siege before it managed to pick up steam."

Stunned by Sajaa's determined outburst after nearly a season of inactivity and then paralysed by the unexpected kiss Lisa just listens while Sajaa and the Brashear take turns talking volumes. Feeling frozen in a moment of time with the world speeding around her, Lisa concentrates, as if massaging understanding of a difficult spell. Her mind stores what is being said in parallel with another part of her consciouness re-parsing what has been said. Feeling returns to her body, toes upwards and ift seems as if her blood warms and flows once more. Everything flips, the world around her slowing and her mind, her understanding catching up with and overtaking the world around her.

Lisa's gone white face goes bright red. "Sajaa, over my dead body do you leave here on your own. I didn't drag your scrawny arse halfway across the country then tend and mend it so you could throw it away on a friggin'emotive whim no matter how damn noble or whatever it makes you feel. Just don't you bloody well dare or I'll kill your arse to death myself!" She breathes. And doubles takes at Brashear, "Sorry, Major, not lady-like but Sajaa, here, my sister, just really got my goat."

Lisa steps between Sajaa and the doorway. "And you, Sajaa, sister-of-mine, I love you as sisters should and you should know better than to be so selfish and I don't speak your fine-sounding language, Arabic, wish that I did, but the Major here, he has the right of it! Vengeance burns bright, dies early, good in sagas. Really? That all you want? A saga-hero? Justice is hard but everlasting, puts things aright, but takes patience."

Still watching Sajaa, Lisa talks to the fort commander, "Major? If you please, tell us what you can of what's happening in Three Corners. About Giles. About Craine. And Nora. And anything about Rolf, Gustav and Terri?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:02, Sat 13 May 2023.

For a few beats following Lisa's impassioned outburst, Sajaa gapes at her in stunned silence. Arabian culture relies on directness and explicit, often literal communication, and misconstrues the subtleties of Anglish sarcasm. But when it dawns on Sajaa that Lisa is playfully scolding her suggestion that the two part company to spare Lisa the dangers of Sajaa's plans, the humor of it occurs to her, and, for the first time since Sajaa fled from Quazr as-Sawh, she lets out a genuine laugh. The tears of shame and grief that still dampen her golden eyes are replaced with those of mirth and gratitude.

Sajaa grasps Lisa's hand and squeezes it. "Forgive me for saying so, Sister," she says with a girlish giggle. "But you have been warned!"

The tender exchange behind them, Sajaa and Lisa now return their attention to Brashear. This new information he offers vastly changes Sajaa's original impulsive plan to blunder alone into the village to hunt Norla.

"Yes, Major, do tell us, please, the state of Three Corners," she asks eagerly. "When we left it last to embark on our return to the Caves, it seemed a safe and welcoming place. Have Norla and her brigands taken control of it, Sire? Is it your intent to send your troops to liberate the village? If so, I... and Lisa... would like to help. And if Giles and the mighty Magnus are available to join us in the endeavor -- to avenge their friends, Gustav, Rolf, and Terri – we cannot fail!"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Sat 13 May 2023.

Lisa's heart misses a beat then her spirit soars at Sajaa's laugh. Her sister isn't completely broken! She squeezes Sajaa's hand back and she mouths, "And so have you!"

When Sajaa offers their help, Lisa nods, confirming her commitment.

The major quirks an eyebrow at the friendly chastisement back and forth between the two women, though he does not interrupt the exchange, smiling pleasantly and patiently until the conversation turns back to him.

And turn it does, for Lisa first, then Sajaa in turn each ask of the town, of its leadership, and of Brashear's own plans.   While the man continues to smile, his face falls, and the expression seems to turn somewhat empty as he half sighs and half grunts his answer.

"First, I'm afraid I know nothing of what has happened to your friends.  I've asked of course, but what little I know is that Terri, Gustav, and Rolf have not been seen in town since.  As for the town itself, it still, regretfully, is still being governed by one of my former officers.  A real vainglorious bastard of a man named Broskow, who thinks very little but of himself.  From what I understand, this Norla has entered the town, and has headed up a chapel there as priestess, though she is not in control, nor seems to be attempting to control anything else."  He clears his throat.  "They also haven't seemed to do anything violent in their transition...  Actually, they seem to be rather welcomed in."

"As for me."  Brashear sighs forcefully.  <b>"I wish that I had some directive to put sense into that town... or else were even manned to do it... but unfortunately, I've been leeched of most of the strength of this fort.  I have not even enough to execute our primary mission of patrolling the area and securing the border, despite the natural boundary.  Perhaps Duke Bran will come to his senses and withdraw his governorship from Broskow, but in the meantime, I'm afraid, there is little that I can do.  I am happy to put you into contact with Giles, who may know more, I can equip you with whatever this fort has to offer, but until I have orders otherwise, I must simply look to secure this areas from external threats.

OOC:  Both of you had a few questions there, and while I think I answered them all, please let me know if I missed something.  Giles has made it clear he's more than happy to join the thread here (and to be frank, this thread makes the most sense) so let me know if that's your intent.  Otherwise, I need the following from you:

1.  Any equipment you want to purchase from the fort Quartermaster
2.  Any items Lisa would have been sent to acquire over the break

Once we move from the fort I'm going to close the window for buying things.

Sajaa stands across from the Major, her eyes focused intently on him as he weaves his tale. Born and raised in a highly conservative Muslim society that treated women as second-class citizens, Sajaa was never accustomed to making decisions for herself. Education was denied to her, job opportunities were out of reach, and the freedom to move without a male escort was nothing but a distant dream. Free speech was a luxury she never had. She simply followed the commands of her father, brother, and the mullahs who dictated her life. And for those fleeting three hours of her ill-fated marriage, she followed her husband's instructions until she ultimately drove his own sword into his heart.

But now, in this foreign land of the heathens, she revels in her newfound freedom. Yet, amidst the abundance of choices, Sajaa finds herself overwhelmed. She has a clear objective - to avenge the deaths of Rolf, Gustav, and Terri by murdering Norla, the Archer and Runt. However, she lacks a concrete plan of action. Her initial hope of riding into Three Corners, locating the Witch, and slaying her in her sleep is now complicated by Major Brashear's revelation. Norla and her minions have been welcomed into the village by the local governor, Braskow. This knowledge forces Sajaa to pause and reconsider. She knows all too well that a direct assault on the village militia would be a futile endeavor. Strategy and planning have never been her strengths, nor Lisa's.

Giles, on the other hand, Sajaa thinks. Giles and the others from their former band will know what to do and how to do it. They possess the skills she lacks.

"Yes, Major. I understand your duty lies within these walls," Sajaa speaks, her hands gesturing expansively to encompass the entire compound. "But I believe Giles may be willing to assist us. Lord Magnus, too. Do you know where I can find them?"

The room falls silent as Sajaa waits for the Major's response, her mind focused on the path ahead, ready to seek out her comrades and forge a plan to achieve her vengeful goal.

OOC: If Sajaa no longer has her crossbow, she will want to buy one, preferably of greater ST than her own strength. She will want a buckler.  She will want sufficient food to reach wherever Giles and Magnus are, to connect with them. She will also want to buy or trade for a uniform / tunic of the Fort's colors, in case she needs to disguise herself.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:26, Fri 16 June 2023.

"Where we can find them," adds Lisa, as she steps up gently rest a hand on her sister's shoulder. Her grim smile promises that the pair are in it together, come what may.

When Sajaa talks about shopping, Lisa produces a buckler of Sajaa's previous size preference, "Here. I bought this for you before. And there's a spare." She also passes over a pouch of coins. "Get whatever you need out of that. Add a uniform for me, if you think that would work?"

Brashear nods as Sajaa asks of Giles.  He is about to answer, though Lisa steps in, firmly asserting that she is joining the mission as well.  Brashear raises an eyebrow, though he smiles warmly.

"I'll put a word out to Giles.  It shouldn't be any problem to get in touch with him.  He spends most of his time with Broskow these days.  I'm not sure about Magnus...  I've heard he's been seen around the area, though not much, and to be frank I'm not sure where he is at the moment.  I'll try and get the word out if I see him though.  And I'll be available here if you need anything."

The three say their goodbyes and the two women depart, Lily and Black Lady clattering on into the rolling hillsides with their riders.

---

It is the next morning when Giles is standing out on the hillside overlooking the town of Three Corners.  He had been told to expect the two women, Sajaa, a self-proclaimed murderess who he had briefly accompanied as they had dealt with the bandit menace in the caves.  The other woman, Lisa, he barely knew at all, for she had been one of the prisoners, and he had only made her acquaintance for the few hours it took to walk back to the town.

Still, Giles was looking forward to the meeting, mostly because he couldn't stand the feeling of constantly holding his tongue.  Despite the fact that Rolf had never returned from his second trip to the caves, Giles had remained in Broskow's employ... a part helper, part spy... and he had been reporting back with as much frequency as he dared.  Still, despite the fact that his mentor, Rolf, was no longer around, Broskow seemed to need Giles less and less these days.

Firstly, the man spent much of his time with his new retainer, Kempei.  Kempei to say the least was a hard man to figure out.  He was quiet, often deferring almost entirely to Broskow.  Still, on the occasions he did speak, he had a certain unshakable gravitas about him that made Giles extremely wary.

The second point, was that Leo, who had been a bit of an adviser of sorts, had almost entirely taken over administration of the town itself.  The man ran the building, partitioned out land for farming, determined the location and size of important structures...  Despite the fact that Giles would have been useful in much of this, tasks were partitioned out to the large group of new arrivals, dozens of workers and fighters who had come to the town within the last two months, all seeming to come in from the east.  When magic was required, which was not infrequent, a woman named Celeste was often involved, she had been used to help quarry stone and produce brick, not to mention shaping the earthen foundations where all of the larger buildings had been laid.

With his newfound lack of responsibilities, Broskow took most of his time to thinking up conspiracies, accusing the townspeople of insufficient appreciation, and attempting to bring every new fighter arriving into his direct control.

Still, even without leadership from Broskow, what only a few months ago had been a tent village with only a few real structures and a well, was now a budding town, complete with a small stone fortress to house Broskow and two large watchtowers which dominated over the surrounding area.

Giles looks over his shoulder, noting the approach of the two women on horseback, their persons well obscured by the hillside.  With a sigh, Giles turns his back on the town, walking down the far side of the hill to meet them.

Giles joins the thread

OOC:  Sorry if both of you weren't done at the fort.  I only today realized that it had been over a week since I posted here and I figured if I didn't move things than everyone was probably going to imminently quit on me.

It is 0700 on March 11th.  Lisa and Sajaa have had the time to scope out the village a bit, though they haven't approached yet.  The village has no walls, but has two watch towers which are about thirty feet high on both the North and South side of town.  The North side also boasts the small citadel where Broskow lives and works.  Most of the rest of the buildings are small and clay brick with thatch roofs.  Much of the town is still half-built, though work goes on everyday to continue building.

Giles will obviously know quite a bit about the town that the player won't.  Feel free to ask questions IC and I'll do my best to give answers to everything OOC if it makes sense.

Giles looked out and away from the town having made the mental leap that he could let it go. In reality, he had a feeling in his gut that this thing would be prominent in his future and that feeling caused ain itch along the scar through his abdomen.

Seeing the two women, he walked out to them and with each passing step a warm smile crossed his face. As the women came into perspective, he was reminded of the Caves, another place he'd taken a near deadly blow and chuckled at the memory. He'd full healed at this point and had simply added the scar to his catalogue.

"Alam alaikum Sajaa al Kassem"  Giles called out as they approached, thick with a Megalan accent. It was warm and friendly, before he turned to Lisa, a woman he recognised from the caves but recalled her being a prisoner that they managed to free. "Lisa, it is a pleasure to see you again" he offered generously.

Before speaking further Giles would survey the area, and make sure they were alone, or not within earshot of anyone else. He had been careful to not raise his voice loud enough for anyone to casually hear he was greeting other folk.


hello!

The fellow in front of her was easy to like, and Lisa smiles back, "Hello, Giles. Same here." She glances at Sajaa. "You'll have to teach me more of that." Still smiling somewhat Lisa lapses to silence allowing the others to chat.


OOC: Hi back!
Planning to learn some Arabic.

After weeks of recovering from her injuries, Sajaa finds solace in the ride north, venturing into the hills that encircle Three Corners. Her connection with Black Lady, the sleek Arabian horse, has deepened with each passing day. No longer does Sajaa perceive the mare as a mere beast of burden; but, instead, a  dear friend. Black Lady has continued to display remarkable patience while Sajaa honed her clumsy riding skills. And, over time, as her horsemanship improved and their bond strengthened, the two merged into a harmonious union.

Despite the joy of the ride and the lively company of Lisa, Sajaa pays a price for the journey. The pain in her still-mending leg intensified with every jarring mile, transforming into a poignant ache that consumes her.

However, all discomfort fades when she catches sight of the tall, confident young man striding towards them. Though Sajaa's lifetime of abuse has instilled a natural wariness towards men, she cannot help but appreciate Giles. He carries himself with the assuredness of someone far older, despite appearing to be her own age. Clad in unpretentious attire befitting a person of means, his athletic frame exudes pantherish strength and agility. Undeniably handsome, his square-cut face bears the intrigue of three scars, remnants of a past encounter with some clawed beast. Auburn hair tumbles in a casual tousle around his face, while a touch of reddish stubble accents his cleft chin. Sajaa struggles to discern the exact color of his eyes, but their warmth, kindness, and watchfulness are evident all at once.

Her own golden eyes momentarily fixate on the ring adorning his left hand, and she finds herself feeling an inexplicable tinge of disappointment, when she remembers the heathen custom of wearing wedding bands.

"W’ alsalam ealaykum ayda, Sidi!" Sajaa exclaims, her voice too loud and smile too broad. Attempting to be graceful, she wrestles herself out of the saddle, lowering her foot to the ground. But when she touches down, her lame leg gives way beneath her weight, and she sprawls onto her rump in the dirt.

"Ah, this leg!" Sajaa groans, her face flushing, as she struggles to rise. "A gift from the Cave Witch, Norla, and her treacherous she-Archer." Her words drip with contempt. "It is the reason we have come to seek your aid, Sir Giles..."

Reaching out, she accepts Giles's proffered hand, allowing him to hoist her to her feet. Dusting herself off, she regains her composure.

"Do you possess any knowledge of this woman? Norla, who has taken up residence in our village?"

OOC: Welcome Giles, glad to have reunited with a familiar ‘face’.  Apologies if I took too much creative license with Giles’s appearance and railroaded him into offering to help her up. Change anything you don’t like. I forget what Lily looks like. Apologies, too, if my lame attempts at images jars with DM or players’ vision of the world. Just say the word and I shall cease and desist!


This message was last edited by the player at 01:07, Sun 04 June 2023.

Giles burned the image of the women riding towards him and knew that he'd recall it until his ending days. They were from worlds apart and had come together through strive, becoming friends. He claimed to be such also. It was a testament to the common ground differing peoples could find in there - but also perhaps that could be more to do with peacocking of foolish men hell bent on power and domination.

The man was glad for the warm smiles and greetings and felt for the first time in a while that he could breath deeply and feel a freshness in his lungs. The time with Broskow, his paranoia and all of the people he had surrounded himself by made Giles feel as if he were a chicken in a coup filled with foxes. None were allies, save perhaps one man - who had seemingly been quelled - and certainly none were his friends. Overall it was a vastly unpleasant experience, and dealing with Broskow had been more akin to looking into the abyss and watching madness stare right back at you.  While walking the last steps towards the women, Hind wondered how spies were able to hold such cover for so long. Giles hadn't had to pretend to be anyone else, but he was stifled to say the least and had little opportunity to see things done right.

His movment of self-pitying reverie was broken as Sajaa fell from the horse and landed down. Instinctively, Giles rushed to catch her, but sadly missed and instead leant down to hook under her shoulder and lift her while taking the outstretched hand. He pulled her to her feet, and took whatever weight she needed in place of her wounded leg.

When she mentioned a gift from a Cave Witch Norla, Giles paused, recollecting through his memory but he quickly returned to focusing on the leg.

Glancing to Lisa, he smiled warmly and asked "Keep lookout, I don't think there's anyone around this side of the hill, but interest from the village is something to avoid for the moment. He then turned Sajaa, leaning her to her favourable leg and then knelt infront. "Balance on me, and let me look at your leg. I can help." it was clear that she was injured but he wanted to see for himself and fix what he could.

"You both fought a witch? How recently? Were there more of you, or just the two? he asked starting to prod her leg to find the injured area before beginning to inspect "An arrow? Riding that beauty must have been bloody awful for you.

He did ignore the question while focusing on the leg, to ensure he did right by Sajaa and not ruin his attempt at assessing her but eventually added after a few moments "Lets get this problem dealt with and then we can take a walk and I'll tell you what I know




OOC: I'm not sure what precisely Giles knows about Norla - I would assume he'd definitely heard/seen hher about the village, and probably knew some of her goings on. Without any direct cause for additional suspicion or orders from Brashear though he would not have delved too deeply into her business.


Giles will attempt First-Aid on Sajaa to determine the full extent of her injuries - and identify the best course of action to fix.

Great picture btw! :) so nice to have scenes punctuated with this kind of thing. Adds a lot of texture to the events.


This message was last edited by the player at 19:56, Sat 03 June 2023.

Lisa stands guard as requested and lats the pair talk.
When she sees Glies focusing on Sajaa's leg Lisa shares what she's done to try and fix it over the last few months.

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OOC: Sajaa, no worries. The graphics are really nice. Thank you!