Desert 2B - Preview to Desert 3
Apr 9, 2017 13:09:35 GMT -8
Post by probablyok on Apr 9, 2017 13:09:35 GMT -8
Sultan Fadiya pressed her eye to the pad on the telescope, watching as the heroes crashed their way down the mountain, and into the arable region of high desert far to the east. She sighed and pulled back from the device of brass and crystal, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose. Her husband Sabir and her wife Azima stood to her left and right, at the edge of the large round viewing platform at the top of the tallest tower in Karazoshe. All three were dressed in the breastplates of warriors. While elaborate and unique in the way each displayed the device of the Sultanate, their armor was not the ceremonial frippery of a showoff. Likewise, the blades they carried were worn but well-maintained. Theirs was a city under siege, and each spouse was prepared to defend it with their lives.
Around them were gathered the dozen highest ranking ministers, priests and officials of the city. Fashions and styles varied from person to person, but almost all present had a symbol of Balinor worked into their clothes; embroidered, fastened as a broach, or even an elaborate knot of hair.
"Then it's true," the half-orc Sultan said as she turned to face her advisors. "Druid Mo-ahg Uffin found them, and he lives. Surely even Corinthia knows by now."
At Fadiya's words, a short, choked sob marked the emotion of a man in brown robes standing with the other counselors present. The highest ranking druid of Karazoshe made no effort to hide his tears of relief.
Turning to Sabir, Fadiya asked, "Is there no way we can warn them off? To tell them to flee?"
"Come, all is not lost yet," Sabir whispered. He gripped Fadiya's upper arm briefly, and then stepped back to stand with Azima again. Their comforting words would come in private, and not in front of all these officials of the city.
One figure, a tall elven woman with dark hair, shining chainmail, and a hooded cloak, stepped away from the collection of counselors, crossing to stand a respectful distance from the Sultan. Tezaera, one of the Sibling Rulers of the Aerenal elves across the sea, bowed to just the precise angle to reflect one sovereign greeting another with respect.
"Sultan, I have heard your reservations, but I stand by my offer. The Undying Court have full confidence in the ritual I proposed."
Fadiya sighed and turned to look out over the parapet, in the direction of the approaching heroes. "But how can we ask them to… Who would ever agree to such a plan?"
"Heroes," Tazaera said, moving to stand by Fadiya at the low wall. "Only heroes would agree to such madness."
Around them were gathered the dozen highest ranking ministers, priests and officials of the city. Fashions and styles varied from person to person, but almost all present had a symbol of Balinor worked into their clothes; embroidered, fastened as a broach, or even an elaborate knot of hair.
"Then it's true," the half-orc Sultan said as she turned to face her advisors. "Druid Mo-ahg Uffin found them, and he lives. Surely even Corinthia knows by now."
At Fadiya's words, a short, choked sob marked the emotion of a man in brown robes standing with the other counselors present. The highest ranking druid of Karazoshe made no effort to hide his tears of relief.
Turning to Sabir, Fadiya asked, "Is there no way we can warn them off? To tell them to flee?"
"Come, all is not lost yet," Sabir whispered. He gripped Fadiya's upper arm briefly, and then stepped back to stand with Azima again. Their comforting words would come in private, and not in front of all these officials of the city.
One figure, a tall elven woman with dark hair, shining chainmail, and a hooded cloak, stepped away from the collection of counselors, crossing to stand a respectful distance from the Sultan. Tezaera, one of the Sibling Rulers of the Aerenal elves across the sea, bowed to just the precise angle to reflect one sovereign greeting another with respect.
"Sultan, I have heard your reservations, but I stand by my offer. The Undying Court have full confidence in the ritual I proposed."
Fadiya sighed and turned to look out over the parapet, in the direction of the approaching heroes. "But how can we ask them to… Who would ever agree to such a plan?"
"Heroes," Tazaera said, moving to stand by Fadiya at the low wall. "Only heroes would agree to such madness."