[HQ Ignorance] Re : Scene 100: The Slave Markets of Lei Tabor

[Loran]

Having waited for any member of the Talor's Fellowship with a greater knowledge of the far-eastern countries than him to answer, Azhur bowed to Jing Ral:
- "Indeed your... well, our master must be enormously rich to buy so easily the ransom of a king, the suit of his companions and all the artifacts the western kingdoms of Genertela are desperately currently searching for... May I ask why he spent so much wealth for us? You must inform him that as laborers we are as much skilled as any poor soul caught on the borders of Prax and the Wastes, the typical slave who is probably much cheaper than us... I'm wondering what type of task I can achieve that may lead to enough payback for him? Not that I don't have idea on my own usefulness in general... but not as a imprisoned slave."





----- Message d'origine ----
De : Lev Lafayette <lev at mimesisrpg.com>
À : HeroQuest Glorantha <ignorance at mimesisrpg.com>
Envoyé le : Sam 7 Novembre 2009, 12 h 51 min 59 s
Objet : [HQ Ignorance] Scene 100: The Slave Markets of Lei Tabor

Scene 100: The Slave Markets of Lei Tabor

Azhur's brave speech may have carried much weight among those of more
noble blood, or those whose piety was stronger. But among this band of
camel riders raiding and pillaging were more their lot and their only
excuse for a spiritual advisor was an old man, who seemed both mad and
cruel. For a moment, Azhur considered rallying the members of the
Fellowship present at the beach when it became clear that the
camel-riders attempted to capture them and no doubt he felt that he
could take at least a dozen of them by his very self, but there were
others to consider. No doubt if he, and Kalen, and Karala and the others
fought, there would be casulties. Yes, he mused grimly, Jareena's magic
call had save them their lives but at what cost?

For several days they were dragged northwards across lands both broken
and dusty, with mighty mountains to their east. During the day they made
camp under makeshift shelters and slept as Yelm's rays baked the earth.
When the sun set they travelled in the hours of twilight only to cease
again in the middle of the night as navigation grew poor, and in the
morning again before Yelm showed himself again. On at least one
occassion there was a thundering storm and a brief rainfall, the shaman
saying something about Lei Kung and Storm Bull fighting in the air.

They were fed, but fed poorly. They were given water, but little of it.
Constantly bound, constantly ill-fed and thirsty, and constantly under
watch the opportunities to cast magics to aid an escape were few and far
between. And where would they run anyway? Kalen had to argue with the
shaman when the riders wanted to spear Rotterex for sport; it was only
when it was obvious that the rubble runner himself showed intelligence
that they decided to let it live. As for their equipment, the barbarians
seemed to be in argument with themselves wih who would get what. The
shaman seemed most fascinated with the Axe of Zorscam, the leader peered
into the moving runes of the Red Banner of Valour. As for the dwarven
pistol, it was used at one stage to hammer in pitons, with an explosive
result - at that point it was put aside with care and some fear. 

On the tenth day the party reached a walled town. To the east there was
a break in the mountain range and one could see a large number of
unusually shaped forts, quite unlike the shape of the town which seemed
to similar to that of the buildings of the Sartar region. As the camel
riders and their commodities were allowed into the town there was, as
expected, a great commotion. Not only for the sheer number of
barbarians, but the goods they had to sell. Many came out to see the
foreigners in their strange garments and weird magics.

As great numbers thronged the city square, bidding began for the various
individuals and items that the Camel Riders did not desire. Then, there
was a crescendo of voices, and a sudden silence.  Riding on a small
white horse and flanked by guards and servants was a young man of
obviously much import. As he sat silently upon his horse, an elder man
negotiated with the camel-riders. With the passing of a chest of coins,
the camel-riders suddenly left you, and all your belongings in a great
pile in the centre of the square. The assembled masses departed soon
afterwards.

Trying several different tongues, the elder man finally found a common
language in Sartarite. "I Jing Ral", he explained. "Master Lei Tse,
brother of Duke Lei Chang buy you and these things", he waved his hand
casually over your former possessions. "You know come to palace and work
there."

[At last, Lei Tabor! And Scene 100 as well!]


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