The Master Of Zooz

[tiaxanderson]

<Thought>

Hmm why are we chased indeed

</Thought>

 

"Well if we are to capture our persuers we must come up with quite the plan. If they know what we are doing and they chase us they might not be the ordinary persuers..."

[phawk69]

Turning to Kalmer, T'skar says "How would you like to take a little walk with me - into town. We could conceal ourselves and sneak up to the docks, as I am sure there is a bit of a stir going on there with a welcoming party and no guests. If we were to listen at an open window or somesuch, we may hear something of interest. I would choose to go with you as we both have experience moving quickly and quietly in our chosen professions." She glances at Baba for aknowledgement of her plan, and waits for Kalmer's reply.

[karkarinus]

Kalmer has been so dead-set upon heading to Kolokon as soon as possible, eluding any pursuers and planning a means to catch or hunt food, that the thought of walking straight into the "welcoming party" hasn't even occurred to him until now.

 

He looks at T'Skar and laughs. "Now that's the best idea I've heard all day!" He exclaims. "Shall we?" With a movement as that of a gentleman inviting a lady to dance, (although in T'Skar's case, he is sure that same movement is more reminiscent of a Tagfier bullfighter,) he motions for T'Skar to lead on. As soon as they get the all-clear from Baba, they will be on their way.......

 

 

 

(ooc > haven't heard from Baba in ages, so unless there are any particular objections from the rest of the crew - or better ideas - we'll be off.)

 

 

 

(assuming T'Skar and Kalmer leave) ic > "We should arrange a time and place to meet up, say, in three hours." Says Kalmer. "In the meantime the rest of you could get some provisions from the nearest village, and we would need maybe two of you to be concealed just outside the city in case anything goes wrong. We could send an audible warning. Whether you rescue us or carry on without us will be up to you!"

[phawk69]

T'skar nods to Kalmer, and says "It would be possible for me to link telepathically with one or two others while we are gone, so they would know if we are in trouble. The only problem I see with a telepathic link is that if there is a mind master in Biksinder, he may be able to follow the link to the rest of our group, if we are caught."

[karkarinus]

"I can make a high-pitched whistle that can be heard by Kyah, even at great distances." Replies Kalmer. If a couple of our comrades wait with him on the outskirts of the city, he can carry them swiftly back to the others in case of trouble.

 

"Don't worry," he laughs to the others, "I will tell him to be on his best behaviour!"

[Malchik]

The plan is I assume agreed. While t'skar and Kalmer visit the docks the others walk along the shore of Lake Biksinder to the village of Ran where they stock up on provisions. There are no apparent rumours doing the rounds in Ran.

 

At the Biksinder docks there is a great deal of commotion. The ship's captain is objecting strongly that the Biksinder authorities have no legal right to search the ship and those they sought are no longer on board anyway.

 

At one point the Captain snaps, "What did they do to cause such a fuss? Did they murder some governor or other?"

 

"Not that it's your business but they are believed to have stolen an item of great value from Dohoti."

 

"Really? And since when has the governor of Biksinder given a flea's fart about Dohoti?"

 

"Look I just carry out orders, right! All I know is that someone with a lot of clout wants the sword back. Whoever it is, it had governor Karbut running about like a headless chicken."

 

"No one in Dohoti then."

 

The two men laugh at a private joke.

 

They then speculate on who might be behind it. Biksinder is too far from Papred for them to be bothered by those supposedly in charge of the country and the president is regarded as a joke. The president's wife, Armider Sagrami, however is not. She is a member of one of the two leading families of Bashkher - the Sagrami and the Desai. The men decide it must be a member of one of those two families to get the news to Biksinder so fast.

 

Very little else is of interest although you hear by chance that Ayala, Governor of Golconar, does not believe you are thieves.

 

The conversation was speculative but both men were experienced and seemed intelligent.

 

You meet up again a little outside the village of Ran with assistance of telepathy between t'skar and Tiax and a last minute neigh.

[phawk69]

After relaying what they have heard to the others, T'skar says "It looks like we have stirred up a bit of a hornets nest. I wonder how much clout Armider Sagrami has, and how far her arm can reach? I think we will need to be careful entering Ippikander and Zooz for sure, and likely Kolokon as well. It might not hurt to hide the swords on Kyah when we enter a city, and leave her concealed outside somewhere. But we can work out more details as the time draws near."

 

She looks at the rest and says "Now to a more pressing concern: it seems Baba has taken a little leave of his senses - may be that new drink Oblivion, or could be just a bad connection, but I think we will need a new leader: so I nominate Kalmer. Any seconders?"

[karkarinus]

K'yah snorts at T'Skar's suggestion. Not about Kalmer being leader, but about K'yah being female.

 

"We should press on." Says Kalmer. "And there is but one way in to Kolokon - a mountain pass no doubt fraught with dangers. So two of us should ascend a little in advance as scouts. And we could perhaps stop at Jangli, the river town, on the way. Once finished in Kolokon, we should look for a more .... convenient way out!"

[phawk69]

ooc> I don't think this is the best time to be splitting up. We have not heard from Gnaag or Ara in a month, so at best we are 6, and Kalmer is our only fighter, with Baba having some skill in blade if he's around. Worst case is there is Kalmer, T'skar, Tiax, Mandrake, and Sael (who is in and out of contact at best) - 5 with one fighter. Sure there has been little fighting, and not likely to be much, but who knows? Anyway, I will go with the vote of the majority.

 

ic> "Sorry for mixing your gender K'yah, I never did make out well as a horse theif," T'skar blushes, "Kalmer, are you thinking of stopping at Jangli on the way in or out? I think we need to stop in Zooz, and I know we need to go to Ippikander, and wasn't there something about a mage there who would tell us about Akitaron? It looks like we may have to back-track at some point, but we know we have to get back to Golconar and our 'Zombie' friend there to try and find the sunken sword. What are our plans after Kolokon?" T'skar wonder.

[karkarinus]

K'yah makes a kind of muffled acceptance of T'Skar's apology. (ooc> Don't forget we've also got Bil.)

 

"I certainly do not intend to split up." Replies Kalmer reassuringly. "I merely intend for a couple of concealed scouts to go perhaps a hundred paces ahead just in case. That mountain may be treacherous. I dare say we will have plenty of time to decide on where to go after Kolokon, but I have the sneaking suspicion that there will be an alternative method of transport from Kolokon to Ippikander. If we can find it, then it's off to the seaside! Ippikander is also the most logical next step, even if we have to make the journey on foot.

 

"With regards to Jangli, if we do not go there on the way to Kolokon, we may never get the chance again. We might as well see as much of this land as possible while we're here! Any objections, anyone?"