The Eye of Anubis: Book Four

[Nathan of the FoS]

Another wracking coughing fit seizes Lia's slight frame, and her grip on the cane seems to be all that is keeping her upright.

Looking slightly alarmed at Lia's weakness, Charles offers her his arm while asking Michel, "Er, mon ami, do they have rules of some sort about relations between the sexes? I will not be stoned if I give a young lady my arm, will I?"

To Lia he says, in a low voice, "You are unwell, m'selle? I know you and our medic are not always on the easiest of terms, but is it something he could treat?"

[Rock of the Fraternity]

To Lia he says, in a low voice, "You are unwell, m'selle? I know you and our medic are not always on the easiest of terms, but is it something he could treat?"

Lia gently pushes Charles' proferred arm away, but her reply is cordial enough. "Not unless he can turn this overly dry boiling pot of a desert into a lush, humid, shady forest," Lia whispers. "I feel like I'm choking on this infernal dust everywhere, and that is when I don't feel like I'm slowly being roasted alive. I am ill-suited to deserts ... by day, at any rate. I will be better after I have drunk my fill of water and night has fallen. I just need to cool down, that is all."

[Kaitou Kage]

Kuzan watched Lia with a bit of concern and frowned. He'd have to see about making something for her later, when he had time again. Really, he would have rather made some kind of lasting peace with Lia, but he wondered how far burned that bridge was. Of course, her self-deprecating comments just don't help. But she really thought poorly of him if she thought he'd cast a silence spell just so he didn't have to hear her voice.

He sighed, glanced to his roommate for a moment, then turned to Michel. "I'll go along with you," he said, "Shopping sounds like a good plan and I might find something worth getting."

[lostboy]

Khalil watched Lia with some small concern. Barely a week in the desert and she is struggling already. He thinks with a sigh, it was going to be a long long journey. Moving over to her side he speaks quietly.

"Perhaps if I may suggest something Madam? You must get out of the sun for now, rest and drink as much water as you can possibly hold. It would also be wise to take a little salt to rebalance your body. It would be best for you to go to the embassy and rest for now. Perhaps tommorrow you can purchase some items of clothing and such to help you weather the heat and dust."

Advice given, Khalil continues walking leading Isha towards the embassy.

"Now I would be most keen to visit the bazaar, I have some supplies to obtain and knife long overdue to be replaced, are you still keen to go little one?" He says lookign over at Ulsaon.

[Kaitou Kage]

Kuzan was toying with something in his hands, and approached Samael before heading off with Michel and the others to the bazaar.

"Here," he said, holding his hand out to reveal what he was playing with, "You mentioned having a leash for us back in Hazlan, and so I made one."

Sitting in his palm were two small ball-shaped stones. They looked identical to each other, both the same dark greenish-blue and etched with the same Rajian letter.

"These are sending stones," he said, "I'd have made at least another pair, but I didn't have enough time. Once each day, you can use your stone to send a short message to the person holding the other stone, and vice versa. The other person can reply, but the magic only allows one transmission each way per stone. I'll hold onto the other half. That way, if something happens, I can get ahold of you. Just remember, it can only be used once per day." He beamed, rather proud of himself for coming up with the "leash."

"Oh," the priest added, as if suddenly remembering something, "Talk to me when you are considering supplies." He patted his magic satchel where the mug was stored. "I made a mug that fills itself up with lukewarm water. I might be able to make a few others, or similar items. It won't be much, but it'll at least be some replenishing supply."

[steveflam]

Ulsaon's eyes light up at Khalil's offer. "Of course I'm still wanting to go, Khalil. Just one moment please." She walks up to Lia and whispers to her "Perhaps an endure elements spell, though I don't know how they'd take that here? Maybe Michel can answer that. It's just a suggestion. Especially with the rod well, I don't think I need say more." She smiles then walks over to Khalil. "I'm ready when you are."

[NeoTiamat]

The Foreign Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 1:52 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"Since we've time to spare, I could perhaps show you where more...fashionable means of following the local laws can be found. I know things may have changed location since my last visit...but even if we get lost, It'll be an adventure."

"Perhaps." Lily said this in the tone of a king granting a delinquent serf a reprieve, although there was the tiniest hint of a smile quirking up her lip.

"Anything I should bring, sir?"

"Er... no, not really..." Prof. Charles Devereux looked around, as though hoping for any other volunteers. There seemed to be a certain lack of them. "Anyone... else?"

"I'll go."

Guy looked up from where he was rubbing Loup's back with water from his pack. The poor animal was broiling in the heat, even after Guy had trimmed back his fur.

"Should be interesting."

Looking slightly alarmed at Lia's weakness, Charles offers her his arm while asking Michel, "Er, mon ami, do they have rules of some sort about relations between the sexes? I will not be stoned if I give a young lady my arm, will I?"

De Angelis twirled his mustache slightly, and said in an entirely too cheery voice. "I don't think so..."

"More seriously though, you should be fine. If anyone asks, you're a relative." Michel considered Lia for a moment. "And hope no one asks."

"Oh," the priest added, as if suddenly remembering something, "Talk to me when you are considering supplies." He patted his magic satchel where the mug was stored. "I made a mug that fills itself up with lukewarm water. I might be able to make a few others, or similar items. It won't be much, but it'll at least be some replenishing supply."

"Hmm..." Samael looked quite thoughtful. Magical food supplies might be expensive up front, but they'd last forever. Over the long run...

"I think I'll do that. Yes... I think I will." The Borcan considered things briefly, then squinted up at the sun. "Alright everyone, be back at the gate between the Merchant's and Foreign Quarters a half-hour before curfew."

"Enjoy everyone... Try not to get killed" Samael smirked. "I'm going to head to the embassy to arrange some rooms for us."

And so the crowd dispersed. Tomas, Devereux, and Guy to the temple, Prof. Marchand-Renier, Prof. Pelletier, and Lia, Charles, and Remy to the Library, and most of the others to the marketplace. Samael and his crew, Harris and Jervis, went to the Embassy, while Carter and Fassahd both disappeared off elsewhere.

The Library of Phiraz, Academic Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 2:42 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"Well, this is it." Prof. Pelletier said as the quartet of scholars arrived at the grand Library of Phiraz. It was a vision. The Pharazians seemed to go for size in their public monuments, and the six-story library certainly qualified as one of the largest buildings in the city. Sheathed in white-marble and with phrases of wisdom inscribed on every surface, the scholar in you fell in love with it almost immediately.

Unfortunately, the organizational system of the library left something to be desired. Organization, for instance. Essentially you asked a librarian where to go, and hoped that you'd understand the directions.

Prof. Pelletier soon wandered off to study the numerous books on Arcane Theory, while Prof. Marchand-Renier and Remy inquired about the oldest books, with the intention of studying the evolution of the Pharazian language.

The Grand Bazaar, The Merchant's Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 2:42 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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The first thing you noticed when you reached the Grand Bazaar was how loud it was. Sound assaulted you from every angle, a thousand merchants selling a thousand wares, each and every one proclaiming his product to be the best.

"Fresh Fish! Fresh fish straight from the Simurgh! Fresh fish!"

"Sandals! Best sandals in Phiraz!"

"Sheep-skin robes! So soft! So warm!"

"Aiee! I have the best sandals! Do not listen to this silver-tongued rogue!"

"Grapes! Juicy grapes!"

"Camels! Good camels! Good tempers, eat little!"

"Fresh fish! Fresh fish!"

"You insult me! You son of a desert bandit, your sandals fall off after the third day! I have the best sandals!"

"Scalawag! Cheater! You use rat-skin!"

"Fresh fish!"

"I missed Phiraz." Michel said with a smile. "Now where is Faruq... If anyone of you see a fellow in black robes and an eyepatch, that's Faruq. He knows me, might give you a deal on his wares. Still owes me fourteen shekels in cards."

Outside the Temple of Purity, High Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 2:42 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"The beautiful Temple of Purity," Devereux read from his book. "Was built in 591 by a flight of angels under the orders of the Prophet. It is said that they collected a stone from every hill in the desert, so that the soul of the entire land is collected here."

"Beautiful....!" The professor breathed. "And built by angels, would you imagine that?"

Guy carefully neglected to say anything as the three explorers looked at the temple. It was another of the large marble buildings so beloved of Pharazians, this time with an immense dome that even you had to own as impressive, and bound by four minarets. Statues of angels crowded everywhere, and a robed and winged statue of the Prophet graced the front gates, five times life sized, at the least, and covered in beautiful gold. And protected by no less than six Confessors.

Hundreds of people crowded the streets outside the temple, and the ululating prayers rose to the heavens. Passerbys left the trio alone, though many stared at Loup, who was far too large to be a jackal, and too light-coated.

"Any idea how we'll get inside?" Guy asked, scratching Loup behind the ears. "Its so crowded..."

Suddenly, a slight shiver passed down your spine, and Loup whined, twisting his head this way and that.

[OOC: Listen Check please.]

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Lia, who stopped at possibly every well and drinking fountain between the gate and the University of Phiraz, is a little livelier by the time the group arrives at this august edifice. "It is certainly ... pretty," she remarks to Charles as she limps into the library; despite the partial revival of her spirit, she still needs the cane to get around, it would seem.

After de Pelletier, Marchand-Renier and Remy have left, Lia gently tugs on Charles' sleeve and whispers to him: "I feel we should not waste too much time in starting to research the tomb of Menetnashte and the Eye. Who knows how long we have? You are the great diplomat, perhaps you should try and convince the librarians that you want to know all the special sights of Har'Akir for a trip. I could then start looking into ancient artifacts in general and narrow down my search once I am not being observed. Or we could go it together."

Worryingly, Lia wobbles at this point, the metal heel of her cane making a scraping noise against the flagstones and even drawing a few sparks. For just a moment, Lia stands perfectly still, breathing heavily. Then she continues: "But whatever we do, I need to sit down soon. I feel much better for all the water, do not worry! I am just ... a little tired right now."

[Nathan of the FoS]

"Oh, indeed," Charles replies, putting out a hand to steady Lia as her knees buckle. Briefly he wonders how long it will take for him to learn not to extend the chivalrous gesture to the veiled woman; reactions of this sort are more or less a brainstem reflex for him. She'll just have to get used to it, Charles thinks drily. Either she'll become accustomed, or she'll turn me into a toad.

"We ought not to lose any time at all in doing what we can to learn about the Eye. But your plan (although admirable) has the rather amusing flaw that I am not really capable of asking the librarians anything, unless they happen to speak Vaasi. Or Draconic, which I suppose is quite possible here. A classical education in Hazlan includes both, unsurprisingly, but not Pharazian; I had never really felt the lack until, oh, about an hour ago. I suppose you could do a turn as interpreter for the eccentric young Dementlieuse nobleman?"

Smiling slightly, Charles says, "And...just to keep our stories straight, in the highly unlikely chance that anyone cares--how say you to being second cousins in the maternal line? I suppose we could always determine how we really are related, actually; all these Mordentish and Dementlieuse families trees spring from the same roots eventually."

[DocBeard]

"I wonder how the angels got the stones to all look the same." Tomas murmurs, looking over the edifice with the detached interest of an engineer. "I mean, you'd think they'd use clay baked from the sand instead, a bit more...Loup?"

(OOC: 21 on my listen roll.)

[The Whistler]

Otto's eyes glittered in the reflected light from the stalls' accumulated trinkets and baubles. You half expected him to break into song.

Like Werkstattstrasse in Neufurchtenburg...but *bigger!*

This'll be *fun*...

The gunsmith clapped Michel on the back heartily, scanning the crowd.

"Yes, sir! It is always best to buy from a well-trusted contact, is what I say--better service, better deals. Now, let us see..."

OOC: Spot 16 to find Faruq. Not spectacular, but hey.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Very well," Lia replies with a shrug. "Though I would be surprised if there actually was some family relationship between us, to be honest. At least, one that close. Well, then. Let us seek out a librarian. I suggest we start with the sights of Har'Akir, so as not to arouse too much suspicion right away."

[DocBeard]

...oh. Oh gosh.

"Do you hear that, sir?" Allready, Tomas is regretting not having the familiar weight of his sword to lean on. He absent mindedly scratches behind Loup's ears, trying to confirm...yes. Yep. Damnit. As much as Tomas wishes it wasn't, he can't ignore the fact that someone's screaming. Below. And to the left.

He looks at the Professor and Guy, silently asking permission to investigate.

[Nathan of the FoS]

"Questions about the archaeological splendors of Har'Akir will not go amiss," Charles says, nodding. "Questions about other things," here he touches his cheek just below his eye, "well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Shall we?"

[yalenusveler]

Andre turns to Lily with a bit of a smile. "So, shall we go find some head scarves to make the ladies of Dementlieu positively green with envy?" His smile was surprisingly honest. His voice then shifted, as did the tongue he spoke {Souragnien "Never mind there's quite a bit of other things I'd like to discuss with you, that I do believe you'll find more intriguing than fashion." He switched back to High Mordentish before continuing "Oh, and if anyone asks, we are of course, related. We're outsiders...but one never knows, we could have the ill luck of running into a zealot."

Andre adjusted his armband, then offered his arm to Miss D'Envers.