[h2][center]Tijarmina, Roh[/center][/h2]


The dusty stone gleamed under the blistering sun above. Music rang through the air from street performers while traders and locals shuffled too and fro among the store fronts, covering their head to guard their eyes. The smells of spices, fruits, and animals hung heavy in the already heated desert air, only slightly alleviated by the sea breezes coming in over the sandy beaches.

Felix swiped the sweat off his brow as the ship sailed into port. [color=springgreen]“Sure is hot here.”[/color]

Jim grunted which seemed like an acknowledgement the way Felix nodded.

Cicero took a deep breath and exhaled, [color=orange]"Back again. Time for a wardrobe change. I hope desert robes are your style."[/color] He grinned at Gwyn. 

She pursed her lips, wiping her brow. [color=teal] “I believe I can manage…Do people willingly live in such [i]heat[/i]?”[/color]

[color=orange]"I did."[/color] Cicero shrugged. [color=orange]"Now you do too. Shall I call you [i]snowflake?[/i]"[/color] He chuckled.

Gwyn scowled then muttered to herself as she tried to shake off the discomfort.

The Captain bellowed orders as the crewmen scrambled to lower the sails. The captain smoothly cruised to the dock like a professional. Jim and Felix tied to the dock securely. Cicero checked his things and his heart sank. He whispered to Gwyn, [color=orange]"There's a problem…"[/color] He scratched his head, [color=orange]"I have no money. Did Dalius pay you for those prisoners?"[/color]

She frowned. [color=teal]“I know we did all get our own share from those bounties.”[/color] She reached into her bags, searching for her money pouch.[color=teal] “Where did yours go? Surely you didn’t spend it all buying that cabbage.”[/color]

Cicero stared abstractly in the distance as the thought occurred to him. He rested his forehead against the boat's side and stated, [color=orange]"It's with the Libertalia…along with my armor.."[/color]  He groaned quietly under his breath.

[color=teal]“Rats.”[/color] She finally got the purse up, counting the coins carefully. [color=teal]“We’re going to have to make more somehow.”[/color]

[color=orange]"What kind of knight doesn't have his armor…or horse? It feels like I'm less of one every day that passes…"[/color] Cicero muttered to no one in particular.

She glanced over to him. [color=teal]“All that can get replaced though. But not the man…”[/color] Then she glanced out as the ship came up the pier. [color=teal]“Besides, your horse would be cared for back at whatever stable you left her, right?”[/color]

[color=orange]“...Yes.” He finally replied. [color=orange]“Merlin should be fine. Now that he’s not in any danger being around me perhaps it is for the best.”[/color] He raised his head up and said determinedly , [color=orange]“We will clear this whole thing up and regain our lost valor.”[/color] He thumped his fist against the ship to punctuate his remark.

[color=teal]“Indeed…”[/color] She double checked that all her things were in order, then straightened up. [color=teal]“Would there be a mailing service here?”[/color]

[color=orange]“There should be some mail birds in the town.” He replied. [color=orange]“Let’s do some shopping.”[/color]

[color=teal]“Alright…”[/color] She touched a scrap of parchment she also had in the sack before slinging it over her shoulder. [color=teal]“Shall we still go with Freda and Cyrano as names?”[/color]

[color=orange]“For now. With my friend, we won’t have to.”[/color]

Just then the Captain called out,[color=plum] “At last we have made it! I hope your journey was not too unbearable. A storm or two here and there, but we are here! Now…”[/color] He coughed, [color=plum]“The matter of the payment..”[/color]

Cicero eyed Gwyn nervously.

She simply sighed. [color=teal] “How much do we owe you?”[/color]

He sighed deeply. [color=plum]“On account of the windy journey, multiple storms..”[/color] He counted off his fingers, [color=plum]“Carrying obvious fugitives..” [/color]


Jim raised an eyebrow, [color=steelblue]“That would be extra..”[/color]

[color=springgreen]“A [i]lot[/i] extra…”[/color] Felix turned around towards them.

Gwyn pursed her lips. [color=teal]“How much extra are we saying?”[/color]

The Captain laughed uproariously,[color=plum] “Hah hah hah harrr! It not be but…what do you have on ye?”[/color]

[color=teal]“...Tell me what you expect first.”[/color] She stared at him while reaching in and silently counting the coins within, trying to figure out for herself just how much they had. [color=teal]“If reasonable, we’ll pay. If not…I’m sure we can have some [i]civil[/i] negotiations.”[/color]

He scratched his beard, [color=plum]“I’d say 1000 pieces for the full ride with fugitives. It’s only fair, right lads?”[/color]


Jim grunted in agreement.

[color=springgreen]“Right!”[/color] Felix remarked back.

Gwyneria frowned. Just enough, though they’d definitely need to be careful with getting anything else… Then took out the coins and sighed. [color=teal]"There you go."[/color]

The captain tilted his head, then went and counted the coins, before placing it into his pouch. [color=plum]"A pleasure doing business with the two of you."[/color]

[color=teal]"The pleasure is all ours, I'm sure."[/color] She hoisted her stuff up then looked to Cicero. [color=teal]"You know your way around from here, right?"[/color]

[color=orange]"Of course. This way Freda."[/color] They disembarked the ship and headed toward the town bazaar. 

The two purchased appropriate desert clothing and supplies for their journey. They even had enough leftover for a single older camel. Cicero spoke the language well enough. Then they headed into the sands.

A few days' journey by camel and they arrived in the badlands. The desert was so hot and smoldering that their clothes stuck to their skin. They traveled by night to avoid the intense heat. Instead, they dealt with the freezing temperatures which Gywn was far more comfortable with.

It was about 1am when they reached Cicero’s former mercenary outpost. It stretched about a quarter of an acre. It had a barracks, 2 watchtowers, a couple of storehouses, a stable and a small perimeter fence with only a single stone gate allowing for entry. [color=orange] “There it is.”[/color] Cicero remarked. [color=orange]“Hopefully it’s not abandoned. Otherwise this will be one quick trip.”[/color]

She glanced around. [color=teal]"I don't know. Seems at least a place to stay…"[/color]

The gate was open and swinging in the wind oddly. It creaked as they dismounted their camel and stepped inside. [color=orange]“Something’s off. Can you sense anything?”[/color] Cicero inquired.

Her brow furrowed, then she closed her eyes and felt around her.
[hider=Gwen's magical sense, success] Roll: 1d20 + 1 = 19, success.[/hider] She sensed faint traces of corrupt magic emanating from the barracks.

Gwyneria breathed out in alarm. [color=teal]“Dark magic’s been used here.”[/color]

[color=orange]"That isn't good."[/color] Cicero replied gravely. [color=orange]"We'll keep our guard up."[/color]

The duo investigated the compound. It revealed broken door frames, scratch marks on walls and arrows stuck into the watchtower. [color=orange]“It’s been raided..”[/color] Cicero muttered grimly. [color=orange]“This is the work of demonfolk. But..”[/color] He yanked an arrow from the tower, [color=orange]“This is good quality steel. Not something they have easy access to.”[/color]

[color=teal]"Why not? Couldn't they be supplied?"[/color]

[color=orange]"It must be someone or some group with access to a lot of resources."[/color]

Suddenly they heard the sound of moans coming from the barracks. A dozen lumbering figures spilled out of the doorway and windows. They wore rags and were disfigured. The flesh was halfway decomposed on their bodies. But yet, they were [i]moving.[/i]

[hider=Undeath][img]https://i.pinimg.com/474x/5e/3e/32/5e3e32ab770384e322eb860b9ac503b1--fantasy-creatures-fantasy-characters.jpg[/img][/hider]

[color=orange]“Undeath.”[/color] Cicero stated darkly. He drew his longsword and removed his shield from his back. [color=orange] “We need a better position. Up the tower, NOW!”[/color] He ran toward the nearest watchtower and held his ground, jerking his head for Gwyn to climb.


Gwyn quickly scurried her way up, watching out among the undead. Finally, she made the top, honing her power. [color=teal]"I'm safe. Get up here!"[/color]

The first of the creatures had reached Cicero by the time Gwyn was safe. He engaged them in a flurry of strikes and repostes. It was clear they were not very tactical in their approach. They were singular in their mission: To destroy the living. 

Cicero managed to lop the head off the first of the horde, but many more began to swarm before he had a chance to climb the tower. He was struggling to defend and attack. Without his full set of armor, the enemies hacked at his shield and sword relentlessly. 


[@Cyrania][hider=Gwyneria][i][b]How would Gwyn aid her compatriot?[/b][/i][/hider]

[@Dog] [hider=Manzur]Manzur found himself in the opposite watchtower seeing everything going on. His ally lay wounded nearby, the reason why he had stayed there for so many days. The undeath would not let them leave. Their water and food were running low. However, the arrival of these strangers provided a perfect opportunity to leave. [i][b]Would Manzur attempt an escape, or help the strangers?[/b][/i][/hider]