[center][h3][b]Kichirō Takagi[/b][/h3][/center]

“Just for one night,” Kichirō responded to the Innkeeper.

“Not a problem, sir.” The innkeeper looked at the board with the keys on them and pulled down a small key handing it over to the priest, “Room 202, sir.”

Kichirō took the key and headed up to the room. He lay his possessions out on the floor and pulled open his spellbook. He turned to a spell he had been studying. He folded his legs on top of one another as he read the spell in the book.

[i]‘Ebbing Strength,’[/i] reading the title of the spell. [i]‘Intended to sap the strength of a victim or target, strengthening a second target or possibly the caster. The material component for this spell is a cherry blossom flower petal. The caster must focus on the target and think of this person while uttering or thinking the word, Sakura. The spell lasts for one hour.’[/i]

He had no target there in his room. Closing his eyes, he pictured a random image in his mind of someone who could potentially be his target. He focused on the fictional person in his mind while softly muttering, “Sakura.” He said again, “Sakura.” And the word fell from his lips a third time, “Sakura.” He repeated the word over and over again quietly while focusing on the effects of the spell. He knew he would not have this spell available for some time, but when it was ready, he would be ready to receive it.

By the morning time, Kichirō had his belongings packed up again and checked out of the room. Two of the Zemida’s men had arrived with three camels to meet him. Kichirō was impressed by their attire. They each wore a steel helmet with a pointed top and a sheet of mail draped around the sides and back of the helmet. The eyes were outlined by what could have been a nose strap but stopped just between the eyes. A rolled-up length of white cloth outlined where the brim of the helmet would be located. The length of cloth wrapped around the soldiers’ heads.

Each wore a mail coat over a padded surcoat. At the chest, the mail was composed of scaled leather and small steel plates composing layers or lamellar armor. At the waist, the armor spread out into a similar patterned girdle to protect the hips and upper thighs. Light cotton white breaches and soft brown leather boots completed the ensemble. The white cloth at the head and the billowy trousers contrasted the darker earthy tones of the armor.

Their weapons consisted of a curved blade called a scimitar. Their gloves were more leather backings for their hands. The fingertips and palms were open. Only the back of the hand was covered in leather with steel vambraces on their arms.

The men were instructed that the priest would not know any of their greetings. “Are you Takagi?”

“Hai!” Kichirō stated. “Yes, I am. You are taking me to Jalatha?”

“Yes. Have you ever ridden a camel?”

“No sir. Anything I should know?”

“Shift your weight as the beast changes his gait. It will make the ride more comfortable.” The older soldier with greying temples spoke to Kichirō. He manipulated the reigns on his beast to get her to lay down. Then he pulled his leg off to dismount. He then pulled on the reigns of the third camel and gestured for this beast to lay down as well. “Just swing your leg over the hump, like mounting a horse. When she stands up, lean back a little to maintain balance.”

The camel laid down for him. Kichirō moved to the left side and swung his leg over the hump. He didn’t have his feet in the stirrups as the beast pulled itself up to a standing position. She leaned forward slightly as her hind quarters went up first. Kichirō did not lean back enough and tumbled onto the ground next to the camel just as it rose.

“Abn aleahira,” the man muttered. “Lean back more!” He reset the camel, readying it for the priest to remount. On the second try, Kichirō remained balanced and rose with the animal. He was pretty happy with himself, chalking it up to a learning experience.

“Follow us!” the man spoke to Kichirō. That was the last thing he said to Kichirō. They didn’t even talk to one another on the half day trek through the desert. Kichirō was fine not speaking. He marveled at the landscape. In some areas, it was just sand for as far as the eye could see. In other areas, small Copses of trees dotted the landscape with sparse grasses and pools of stagnant water. After riding for a bit, he found his hips rocking back and forth with the movement of the camel. He was able to adjust to the rhythmic sensation, happy with his ability to ride the camel.

An hour or two after the sun passed its overhead zenith, the three camels arrived at the Balyakin Village of Jalatha. A much larger pool of water stretched across the desert to the right with a more densely populated grove of trees. Slight buildings of wood and tents sprawled the landscape with one long building dominating the center. Smoke drifted up from a chimney. 

The three riders alighted from their camels at this longhouse. The two soldiers brought Kichirō inside.