As Lapis drew closer the group took shape. A masked woman and two men stood outside the mouth of a cave. Blood and gore dripped from them, trailing back into the tunnel. Lapis unconsciously wrinkled her nose, anticipating the stench. She heard the woman yelling at the two men briefly, but her outburst was over by the time the caravan was near enough to make out her words. A book occupied one gesticulating hand, a sword the other. Lapis eyed the book curiously and the sword warily. Perhaps approaching these people had been a bad idea.

When the caravan finally came to a stop before the group, however, what appeared to be a pirate waved at them rather cheerfully. Lapis stared at the strange man, nonplussed, as she listened to his outrageous speech. She did finally bristle and dismount when he hopped in the back, bold-as-you-please. She raced around to watch him as he tossed a book at poor Arthur and started rooting through their meager belongings. Pottery, tin and copper pans, and a single large rug toppled from their neat stack onto the floor of the caravan. His comment about Helah went unheard as she raised her voice indignantly.

[color=#da5e64]Excuse me! Sir! We would be happy to assist you and your...party, but please do not disturb my wares unless you mean to buy the lot![/color]

She jumped into the caravan after him, selecting one of the several large canteens of water from one of the interior shelves. [color=#da5e64]My name is Lapis Dustwalker. My companion is Novice Arthur Travers. You may take this water to your companions and drink your fill. Please allow me to rearrange in here to fit you all.[/color]

She waited for him to jump down from the caravan before murmuring to Arthur, [color=#da5e64]It seems we may have to keep an eye on that one. Rather bold, isn’t he?[/color] Before she could ask Arthur about the book the pirate gave him, she heard a nervous bleat from the front of the caravan. Grumbling under her breath, already exasperated, she hurried back around to see the taller man approaching her camel.


[color=#da5e64]If you are thinking to ride my camel, you’d better offer her a tasty bribe first. She doesn’t take kindly to strangers on her back. Just ask the last street urchin she spat on. Poor boy stunk for a month.[/color]