The Sarcophagus Legion I

[Jerrard]

"Locky, please sit down." Jerrard smiles kindly, taking the Kenders arm. "The reward was not the question, I was more concerned that we would be considered to be the kidnappers." He regards the woman a moment, then nods once.

"Yes we will aid you. I could not in all conscience leave any Woman to such a fate. We will set out in the Morning, are we all agreed?" If no one comments he continues. "Until then, more knowledge of this land, its people and any customs would be appreciated, I do not wish to make any avoidable mistakes."

[Breila]

Babushka nods. "Yes, we are strangers in a strange land. Without a guide, it would be hard for us just to survive, we are not used to desert and sun. So we need a lot of information to have a chance to succeed."
Babushka looks the woman in the eyes, then inclines her head a little.
We have been treated with suspicion, so please forgive me for being suspicious myself.
I am called Babushka, and my friend here is Locky. How should we call you?"

[Jenara]

"Locky Lightfoot, to give my full name." she offers her hand to the Lady, "I have also been Nicknamed 'Little Fingers, I have no idea why." She grins.

[Jerrard]

"Indeed, that was to be my first question." Jerrard gives a friendly smile, stroking his beard softly.

[HorizonsDream]

"Before you set out, you have to meet with the Khan," Imani says. "He might be able to give you more details than I currently have." She seems to calm just a little now that the group has agreed to do this. She glances down at the kender's hand, before she takes it in her own in a light shake. "I'm Imani Mehmet."

[JadedDM]

"Ulster! Err, is my name, I mean," Ulster stammers. "Oh, and what's...a 'sister-wife' anyway? Is that like a sister-in-law?"

[Jenara]

"That is an interesting question." Locky ponders, wondering what all the fuss was about. Ulster was acting like she had a spell over him.. "Pretty name." She adds

[Jerrard]

"Well Imani Mehmet. I am pleased to meet you. Is the Journey far? We just obtained rooms in this fine establishment." He grins at the appalling joke.

[HorizonsDream]

Imani looks startled as Ulster blurts out his name. She studies the man closely for a few seconds, as if not sure on how to react to him. It was obvious she wasn't use to men acting like Ulster. "Um, the men in our culture are allowed to have multiple wives," Imani tries to explain. "Only the rich and powerful men in our culture tend to have multiple wives. The Khan has five wives, and I am his fourth wife."

Hoping that sort of explains she sister wife thing, Imani turns her attention back to Jerrard. "No, it isn't far. I am sure you saw the palace when you entered town."

[Jerrard]

"Very well, shall we?" He stands, ushering towards the door. "Ladies first, of course." Jerrard kicks Ulster slightly, in a friendly manner, "Multiple Wives, interesting idea." He mutters under his breath.

[JadedDM]

Ulster is unable to hide the disappointment from his face. "Oh...uh.., you're married. Of course. I mean, why wouldn't you be?" he mumbles, getting to his feet.

[Jenara]

"Lets go!" Locky announces standing once more, pulling Babuskha to her feet. "What does that mean?" She asks the Gnome quietly.

[HorizonsDream]

Imani raises an eyebrow at Ulster. Once again, she seems so unsure as to what to say to him. Men weren't suppose to act like that and mumble to themselves. That wasn't how it worked. Deciding not to address the issue, Imani turns, and leads the group out of the inn and towards the palace.

[JadedDM]

The princess leads the four to the palace where the Khan resides. It's a large, multiple-story structure with heavy defenses. It makes Bronzemoon's mansion seem like a mere lean-to shack in comparison. The front gate is guarded by half a dozen men who stop the party, but upon recognizing Imani, allow them to pass without further incident.

Meanwhile, Thuskar steps back inside the inn, dusting off his hands. "Well, I got the donkey and horse stabled," he says then looks around and realizes everyone's gone. "Umm...what? Where did they go?" he asks the innkeeper. He only shrugs in response. "Oh, for the gods' sake!" Thuskar grumbles.

Back at the palace, Imani leads Jerrard, Ulster, Locky and Babushka to the Khan's audience chamber. The room is guarded by a pair of Baaz draconians armed with long swords. They both politely bow when they see Imani approaching. "Your highness, a pleasure to see you again," one says. "You are here to see the Khan? He is currently holding audience, but I am sure he will see you as soon as he is finished. Please, enter," he says, opening the door for them.

Stepping inside, they see marble columns reach thirty feet to a vaulted ceiling. Mosaics decorate the floor. Sycophants huddle in groups. Some stop and stare, others point and gossip. A few look just like the guards they met at the gate.

At the far end of the room, a cloud of smoke lingers around a sedan chair surrounded by a dozen or so women lounging in exotic clothing and seductive poses. A medley of curry, saffron, incense, tobacco, hashish, and beer assaults the party's senses, along with the sounds of flutes and sitars.

“Bring me wine!" a voice shrieks, then breaks into a coughing fit. Two slaves with palm fronds step forward and wave away the smoke. They reveal the seated form of the roundest, most bloated man they have ever seen. Sickly growths cover his bulbous scalp, partially hidden by silk scarves. Flesh hangs from his cheeks. One of his ears is completely enveloped by the sickly growths on his head, and the other is shaped like a cauliflower. A dozen Baaz warriors stand at attention around the khan, obviously an elite bodyguard of some sort.

A servant steps forward, picks up a goblet, arms shaking, and brings it to the khan, spilling some wine as he walks. Mehmet seizes the goblet, then strikes the servant across the face, knocking him to the ground. Realizing he has spilled some wine himself, the khan begins to laugh a flabby, breathless laugh. Strained laughter erupts throughout the room in response as two guards armed with scimitars step forward to collect the fallen servant off the floor.

"Enough of this!" the khan yells in a voice that is surprisingly high pitched and effeminate. "I grow weary of your excuses!" Upon getting closer, the party notices that there is a man kneeling before the khan. He is visibly shaking in fear.

"Please, my lord. I only need one more day to get the money you ask for. I have a wife and children, please spare my life," the man says.

Mehmet seems to consider this carefully. Standing at his right is a bald Khurish man with a braided beard and some kind of face painting near his left eye. He wears black robes and an odd headdress, an elaborate necklace, and multiple rings. The man leans forward and whispers something to Mehmet. The khan's face lights up at the suggestion, and he nods favorably.

"Very well," the khan says loudly. "I have decided to spare your life!"

The man practically collapses with relief. Groveling, he says, "Thank you, my lord. Thank you!"

Mehmet nods slightly to his guards, and two of the Baaz break formation to flank the groveling man and quickly grab his arms, holding him into place on his knees. The man panics, struggling, unsure of what is happening. "But...but my lord, you said..."

"I said I would spare your life!" Mehmet points out. "You will, however, be my guest...at the Feast of Eyes!" One of the khan's courtiers produces a hooded vulture, and hands it to the sultan. He holds it on his arm, stroking its greasy feathers. "Your job is to feed Edgar here," Mehmet explains. "Lucky for you he has not eaten in days! This shouldn't take long at all!"

The khan removes the hood, lifts his arm, and the vulture takes flight...

[Breila]

As Babushka is going inside the room, she feels unease growing in her. So many hostile people, all these conflicting aromas, and the unhealthy look of the Khan, make her slightly nauseous. After the man is threatened and the vulture is brought, the thought of what is going to happen, unpreventable by her, is making her violently sick.

(ooc: CON check if she's able to hold back her vomit? 1d20=14, just passed)

She clutches Locky's arm and tries to shut out the world until it's over.