Gamori

Part 10

Of what became of the dead thing in the sand, I cannot say. It probably lies there still, covered by the shifting dunes. Our guides did say that, while the rest of us were inside the necropolis, they saw the dust clouds of a simoom to the south.

The Deathspiders have, since their inception, been bonded with the desert tribes. The sisterhood's founder, Omaia the Life-Drinker, was herself born to an Oblej shaman, thus the two groups offer mutual aid and protection. Many nomadic warriors safeguarded our way back to Tek Wek.

Once we reached Mer-Kadesh, Thok had a tearful, heartwarming reunion with his adopted cat, Blagt-Utgorgor.

Laden as we were with treasure, encountering thieves in the city was not unexpected. On the way to the wharves, we were brazenly assaulted in broad daylight by dozens of scimitar-wielding thugs, half crazed with avarice. We had replaced our fallen fighters, and then some, so very few of our assailants escaped. Norbert slew many with his two-handed sword. Thok appeared as an incarnation of Bashkul, god of valor. Those who did not flee at the sight of him were annihilated by his spiked mace. As he racked up kills, he boomed, "For Gorgor!" Jezrin, who had sensibly taken to wearing scale mail and a helmet when walking the streets, dropped several foes with her old but well-maintained crossbow, Widow's Whisper. Our cartographer refrained from any spell-casting, as incinerating innocent bystanders would surely not go over well.

After the killing stopped, Thok cleaned his mace. Backbiter helped himself to some scattered fruit. Sindar consoled his shaken litter bearers. I smoked my pipe in a feeble attempt to calm down, for I had never been in combat, nor had I ever feared being hacked to pieces with scimitars.

The lieutenant of the city guard told us it was a clear case of self-defense, and asked if we wished for some of his men to escort us to the Harbor Ward, to which I immediately answered in the affirmative. Sindar told him that he was having grave doubts as to whether he would ever conduct business in such a "festering carbuncle of outrageous villainy" again. Miss Wentletrap gave a sob story, replete with very convincing sobbing, about how traumatized she was, and promised that the Thoolian League of Merchants would hear of this matter. I added that the High Council of Portsgate would be none too pleased when news of this atrocious occurrence fell upon their ears. Horrified, the lieutenant apologized on behalf of the sultan of the Nasad Empire, gave us a voucher for monetary compensation, and went to assemble as escort detail.

At the docks, Jezrin bade us farewell. "I must attend to things in Botha Binn. Sindar, please take good care of my pet meepling while I'm away, and remember to feed and water it daily." She gave me a few pats on the head as my heart started aching.

"Quit being so sad, you're making me wanna puke," she said. "I'm sending Thok and Umbreen along, so how far behind do you think I'll be? I got plans to buy some property in your endearing hometown. Now buck up, Mopey. You're swimming in riches!"

I waved goodbye to her from the deck of the Urvasan galleon Palatine. Jezrin threw a rock in my general direction.

"Get the hell outa my sight, Stargazer!" she yelled.