[HQ Ignorance] Scene 89: Palbar, City of the Oraya Sultanate

[Nic Hughes]

Sam Elliot wrote:
> "I will come with you if it doesn't slow you." the elf replies.
>
>   
A grin appears on Aalmon's face, almost a manic grin. A clear decision, 
even a reckless one, is a relief to him. "Good!".

He turns back to the table and dips a chunk of break in the gravy of his 
pie, then with his free hand starts tracing out possible routes on the 
map. He frowns a few times and takes deep bites out of the bread as he 
works out a route. As his mind races he starts barking out comments 
without ever looking up from his task, falling into a familiar military 
style.

"Very well, the Lady Icthya will come with me to cover my back. 
Everything not needed for the ride we will leave behind to save weight. 
We will need gold or a credit note to re-equip ourselves for the journey 
North when we reach Torang. Make it sufficient for an honored diplomatic 
envoy to set out an expedition - for that is what she is even if you do 
not know it."

He starts to trace alternate routes through forested areas and jotting 
onto the map

"If the nomads are so close then outriders might be on the road already. 
Saddle and bridle the best horse that is still a horse, I need speed and 
strong lungs on a mount more than great power. A racer not a warhorse."

He pauses in his chewing for a moment then continues

"Then saddle up 6 more and find volunteers to ride out at the same time, 
seven is an auspicious number to leave the walls. If there are watchers 
it will force them to split up and chase after shadows a little. The 
other riders can stop when their horses are winded, I will not stop 
until I get there."

"The message itself will need a seal that opens doors and makes its 
importance known. No good my riding there in less than half a day only 
to be left kicking my heels while functionaries prove their 
self-importance by wasting time. An Imperial seal or that of the Satrap 
would suffice."

He rolls up the map and puts it in his rider's satchel and looks back 
round at the official "Well, have you ordered the preparations? I need 
only perform the blessings to be ready."

Nic

OOC: From the map I am guessing that its about 100 miles or so, less as 
the crow flies. That is probably just about what a courier is trained to 
do - ride like heck for 6-9 hours and somehow keep the horse and himself 
alive to make it there. The time of day could be critical - what time is it?

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