The Eye of Anubis: Book Four

[lostboy]

Khalil breathed in the sights, sounds and indeed the smells of the bustling market. It was an overwhelming mish-mash of colour, voices and movement, far from the quiet of the desert, but....

Feels like home..... Indeed far more than the land of the red wizards in which I spent so many years.

And if I feel like this now, how I wonder will Muhar strike me?

Lost for a moment in thought Khalil almost missed the Michels words, but gathers himself admirably rather keen not to let his inward feelings show. With somethign to do he pushes the feleligns back down and scns the crowd for a sign of this man Faruq.

[OOC: Spot 25 oh and add a knowledge local for any info Khalil may know to help find Faruq: 12 - so not much then....]

[NeoTiamat]

The Library of Phiraz, Academic Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 2:45 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Somewhat to your relief, the signs within the library were written in Pharazian, Draconic, and Vaasi, leading you in relatively short order to the Histories section of the Library of Phiraz. It appeared that at one time in its history, the Pharazian people were nomads who had traveled much of the Amber Wastes, and there was perhaps some hope that the older records would have information on Har'Akir.

The Histories room was a large, open chamber, three stories tall and hollow, but with walkways wrapped around the walls, and books stacked to the ceiling in neatly organized shelves.

Despite that, the room was nearly deserted. An older man with a voluminous white beard spoke to a trio of youngsters as he gathered books, likely a scholar from the adjoining University. A young woman, her face wrapped in veils, sat at a table with a stack of books and turned the pages quickly. A middle-aged, matronly woman handed off books to a young boy who looked to be her son, while a Confessor read a tome and took notes, his face harsh and white robes glaring. And that was all for the room, but for the librarian.

He was an older man, dressed in ruddy orange robes, and had a friendly cast to his features, walking around, re-shelving books, and occasionally pausing to speak briefly to the young woman who studied at the table.

The Grand Bazaar, The Merchant's Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 2:45 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[Souragnien]
"Now whatever do you think I should find more intriguing than fashion..." Lily's coolly amused tone did not bode well. Her green, cat-like eyes glittered in the sun. "After all, not as though I have much better to do, hmm?"

Meanwhile, Khalil had a stroke of luck. A black-robed man, short and swarthy, with an eyepatch, was haggling with a dust-strewn man with a camel. Faruq was not a handsome man, hawk-nosed and scarred, but he had an air of competence the Dragoman recognized.

Outside the Temple of Purity, High Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 2:45 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


"Hear what?" Guy asked quickly, tilting his head to listen. Too late, the sound was gone, although from the way Loup's fur bristled, the dog's hearing was much better.

"Er.... something wrong?" Prof. Devereux asked, blinking at Tomas's and Loup's strange actions.

Suddenly, the Alsatian started to run, following the path west around the temple, whimpering and barking as he did. Some of the crowd of worshippers stared at the foreign beast, but he was mostly ignored, due in no small part to the large and obvious collar around the dog's neck.

"Get back here you mutt!" Guy lunged after Loup, but to no luck. With a muttered curse, the militiaman followed his canine.

[DocBeard]

"People." Tomas hesitates for a second, not wanting to get, like, stoned or anything, before taking off after Loup. "Screaming. Follow Loup, I think he can still hear it!"

The graduate student of justice's feet kick through the air, as he desperately tries to keep up with Loup without, you know, tripping over something or someone or falling through a building.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Let us see if I can be a little diplomatic for once," Lia whispers to Charles as she limps along, allowing him to steady her for the moment. "Time to talk to the librarian, hm? This time, I will do the talking -- and I promise to warn you as soon as possible if it becomes time to run away very quickly. I shall introduce us as cousins, as you suggested, so stand ready."

Pharazian: "Excuse me, good sir," Lia addresses the librarian in question, giving him the bow of respect due one of greater age -- and a position of influence in this place Charles and she needed to be in, of course. If she wobbles slightly when she bows, it only lasts for a moment, and a quick move of her cane saves her from a stumble.

Pharazian: "My cousin and I are newly arrived from abroad, and hoped you could help us. We would like very much to study any books you might have in this excellent library on the subject of the great sights and, indeed, sites of Har'Akir. I am a student of archaeology and history, and would deeply appreciate it if you would guide us to the books most relevant to those subjects. I have heard such amazing things about the burial customs of the ancient Akiri, and your university's library was warmly recommended to me as a source of valuable lore on all manner of things. Please do say you can assist us, do."

[Nathan of the FoS]

Charles bows and smiles to the librarian at the appropriate point in Lia's introduction; he doesn't know much about what is considered "manners" here, but it seems a relatively cosmopolitan place and it's not likely he's the first Dementlieuse the librarian has met, so he's unlikely to offend with the basics. He dearly hopes that Lia is not laying on the "cloak-and-dagger" act too thickly; there's nothing that suspicious about their presence here, or their interest in Har'Akir.

""This library is a marvelous monument to learning, honored elder," he says in Draconic. "We are very glad to have an opportunity to visit it."

[yalenusveler]

Andre smiled, and switched back to Souragnien "Why, money and where it comes from, of course." Andre replied, his own tone almost conspiratorial. Oh...there would certainly be more interesting things discussed than fashion, certainly indeed.

[NeoTiamat]

The Library of Phiraz, Academic Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 2:47 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The elderly, orange-robed librarian nodded politely along in interest to both Lia and Charles, a half-smile forming on his face. Pointing towards a section of books between the studious young woman and the matron and son, the Librarian spoke in Draconic.

Draconic
"You seek books upon the Akiri customs of burial? An intrepid topic, young ones, with much written of their tombs." The librarian considered for a moment. "You may wish to consult al-Sinbur's Historie of the Akir Peoples, the Atlas of the Wastes by Marashi and Nibar, and Hakim al-Aftab's treatise on the construction of Akiri Tombs."

[OOC: Spot Check
Search Check for finding specific books, or for general research. For the latter, you get a +2 Synergy bonus per Knowledge Skill at Rank 5, cumulative.]

The Grand Bazaar, The Merchant's Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 2:47 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Andre smiled, and switched back to Souragnien "Why, money and where it comes from, of course." Andre replied, his own tone almost conspiratorial. Oh...there would certainly be more interesting things discussed than fashion, certainly indeed.

Souragnien
"How very interesting." Lily said calmly, then switched to High Mordentish without missing a beat. "Hmm, I do believe the cloth merchants are over there."

"If you will excuse us, gentlemen." Miss D'Envers said with a winning smile, as she strode away towards another part of the bazaar, her green eyes flashing even as she guarded her face from the sun and passerbyes with the green-silk fan.

Outside the Temple of Purity, High Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 2:47 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Loup lead the way, bounding along like a shot from a rifle, ducking under carts, around Pharazians, and bounding over low obstacles. Following him were Guy, then Tomas, then, perhaps surprisingly, Prof. Devereux. The long, lanky Professor moved clumsily, but he did manage to keep up, barely.

Around the temple the quartet went, farther, towards the gates to the Academic District. Around the ivory, marble-clad buildings the huge Alsatian leapt, and under a Confessor's staff.

The white-robed man looked moderately surprised as Loup rushed off past him, then turned to see the trio of green-armband-ed foreigners rushing at him. Quarterstaff in one hand, scourge at the belt, the Confessor spoke in a particularly grim tone in Pharazian. Prof. Devereux babbled something in the same language, and the Confessor switched to a rusty High Mordentish.

"I repeat, What is the meaning of this disturbance of the Prophet's Peace?"

[DocBeard]

Punch him in the face. He'll never know! All forginers look alike, right?

....no, wait, that's a terrible plan. Tomas skids to a stop, trying to keep an eye on Loup. Oh. uh. goody. But there are people in trouble so screw being nice. "I heard a scream. Like a group of people in pain." Tomas says, "The dog is trained to assist people in need, and is very sensitive. We were trying to see what was wrong, sir." Yep, the truth, there's no reason the truth'll get you in trouble, right?

Right.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Draconic
"You seek books upon the Akiri customs of burial? An intrepid topic, young ones, with much written of their tombs." The librarian considered for a moment. "You may wish to consult al-Sinbur's Historie of the Akir Peoples, the Atlas of the Wastes by Marashi and Nibar, and Hakim al-Aftab's treatise on the construction of Akiri Tombs."

Draconic: "Thank you very much for your help, sir," Lia says, bowing again to the elderly librarian. "Let us see what is to be seen, cousin," she suggests to Charles as she starts to hobble towards the shelves. Unless anything happens to interrupt her, Lia is soon engrossed in the thick volumes, seeking out information on the tomb of Menetnashte -- and indeed, Menetnashte him-, or herself.

(OOC: Spot: 7. Did I just walk into the bookcase? General research: 25. It's nice to have three knowledge skills with 5 ranks or more. ^^)

[Nathan of the FoS]

Search is 15, 30, 31 for the three specific books and 36 (!) for the general knowledge. Wow.

Draconic:""Yes, many thanks," Charles seconds, then turns his own steps toward the shelves. Displaying the combination of quick wits, sharp eyes and luck that won him a First at the University of Dementlieu (and the envy of his classmates), Charles disappears into the indicated section of shelves and emerges a few minutes later with two of the three indicated books in hand. "Atlas of the Wastes, al-Aftab on tombs," he notes, pleased. "Lovely illustrations in that one, the Akiri were smashing architects."

Fetching a lead pencil and a notebook from an inner pocket, he jots down a note or two, sets the books on a table, and prepares to dive into the stacks again. "See if you can find this one," he says to Lia, handing her the note in passing.

The note reads The veiled woman was interested in our question to the librarian. See if you can strike up a conversation.

Returning to the shelves, he rummages briefly before striking the mother lode--three books hidden behind a large illustrated double folio about Akiri marriage customs with truly ghastly color-plates. They have the intriguing titles History of the Anubis Cult, Akiri Enchantments, and Travels through Muhar; exulting silently in this find, Charles brings them out for further perusal, finding a table where he can observe the whole room and seating himself there.

[lostboy]

Khalil spots the man rather easily, and tapping Michel lightly on the shoulder he points him out.

"Affendi I believe that is our man no? Perhaps we should introduce ourselves?"

[The Whistler]

Otto peered over at the merchant, sizing up.

Mm...canny. Not sure how much of the negotiating style I can hammer down just from body language and tone, but still...

...Hope the guy speaks Vaasi or something, at least. Guess Lamordian's a bit much to ask...

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Fetching a lead pencil and a notebook from an inner pocket, Charles jots down a note or two, sets the books on a table, and prepares to dive into the stacks again. "See if you can find this one," he says to Lia, handing her the note in passing.

The note reads The veiled woman was interested in our question to the librarian. See if you can strike up a conversation.

'He wants me to strike up a conversation and question someone?' Lia thinks to herself. 'Good grief!'

Reservations notwithstanding, Lia carries the books Charles already brought out to the same table where the (other) veiled woman is sitting and takes a seat opposite her, removing her own notebook from inside her robes.

Pharazian: "This library is a true treasure trove, is it not?" she says to the woman, trying to sound pleasant. "Which subject are you studying ...?"

[NeoTiamat]

The Library of Phiraz, Academic Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 2:52 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This library is a true treasure trove, is it not?" she says to the woman, trying to sound pleasant. "Which subject are you studying ...?"

Smoothly, the veiled woman looked up, the sheer veil cloaking her features so that all that Lia could tell was that she was dark skinned and young, with rich, dark-brown eyes set in an almond-shaped face.

Tapping the stack of books by her side wordlessly, the veiled girl smiled softly, the curve of her dark lips visible through the veil. They were collections of histories, mostly, texts on the afterlife of Har'Akir, as well as more general histories on the subject.

The Grand Bazaar, The Merchant's Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 2:52 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


"Faruq you son of a mangy jackal!" Michel called out, pumping the black-robed man's hand up and down with a pleased grin. "How have you been? How's the business? Do you have my money?"

The one-eyed Akiri looked at De Angelis with an amused expression. "Effendi, it has been many years! You have grown! And you still owe me money!"

The two career rascals looked at each other and grinned, and you could tell they were old, old friends. Faruq was a man of middle-height, an untrustworthy looking type with a weatherbeaten, nut-brown skin and beetle-like brows, and a large black eyepatch across his left eye. He wore the usual robes of a Pharazian, only black instead of the customary beige or white, and a black turban was wrapped around his head, a large ruddy gem set into it which was probably colored glass, you thought.

"My lords, my ladies!" Faruq turned to the rest of you. "A thousand greetings, for I am One-Eyed Faruq, the pawnbroker, seller of secrets, marketer of marvels, provider of prophecies, auctioner of artefacts..."

"Delinquent of debts," Michel interjected with a devilish smirk.

"Effendi..." Faruq said with an exaggeratedly offended slowness. "Let us not quarrel over trifles!"

The Academic Quarter, Phiraz
May 22nd, 761, 2:52 PM; Day 66 of the Menetnashte Expedition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I heard a scream. Like a group of people in pain." Tomas says, "The dog is trained to assist people in need, and is very sensitive. We were trying to see what was wrong, sir."

"You heard screams. I see." The Confessor's countenance did not seem to be one of profound belief or tolerance for the stories of certain Lamordian students. "And your... animal... is following them."

"Why then have I not heard anything?"

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Pharazian: "My, how interesting," Lia says. 'Hold on,' she thinks to herself. 'Several of those subjects come awfully close to what we are searching for. I wonder --? Could this be --?'
Pharazian: "Yes indeed, a subject with much opportunity for study," Lia goes on, trying to sound as pleasant as possible. "What are you studying specifically? And are you a student at the University? Are you writing a book report?"