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30 Blooming: The young women rose early, to prepare for their audience: Laylah by stretching and grooming (as if preparing for a performance), Darra by following her example, and Ruqayyah by running around town to wear off excess energy (today being the full moon).
Yasar, a guard whom Ruqayyah had seen in both Hajaj's and Al-Zaki's escorts, came to escort them to the palace. He took them by way of Temple Street, where Tel Yuli's shrines to Krithian (Celestian) and Desert Men (Tanduzi) gods are located.
They entered the palace complex and were led to an audience chamber. Co-Governor Hajaj sat in one of two chairs on a raised dais, with his hawk perched on a stand between the chairs. Al-Zaki stood near Hajaj, and a few other courtiers were present. Guards were posted along the walls, which were decorated with tapestries of hunting scenes. Yasar announced the three women, then stood a short distance behind them.
Hajaj asked Laylah to tell him about her visions. She did so, and stated her belief that a war is coming. Hajaj's entrail-reading prior to this audence led him to believe her story, but he was unsure how to proceed. Laylah's own plans were to stay in Tel Yuli at least another day (tomorrow being the solstice), then to go in search of the Cat Tribe.
Ruqayyah mentioned that she was from the Cat, but that she wasn't eager to return, because she would be forced to finish her training to become a Duz. Hajaj was amused; his own son, Balak, had also resisted that calling until recntly. Ruqayyah will go with Laylah to see the Cat--she can help, but does not plan to stay.
The women knew of a desert-bound caravan, led by Tashfin al-Dukash, which would leave town in a few days. They planned to join it if no other leads presented themselves. Haja offered the following aid: He would make arrangements with Tashfin for their passage, and he would send a member of his guard, Naima, with them. She would help watch for danger, and help them get by in the desert and among the desert people. They thanked Hajaj for his help, and said their goodbyes. Naima left with them, to get acquainted with her new traveling companions. [Naima is a new PC, played by Christine Brown.]
Laylah excused herself in order to spend some time meditating in the temple of Rashira which they had passed on Temple Street. (She needed to calm herself after the audience.) She joined the others at the inn a bit later.
Ruqayyah's nervous energy had returned. While pacing the inn, she saw a beggar woman in the courtyard--the same one she had met two days before. They talked, and the old woman urged her to return home to complete her training.
Darra, being a werehorse, wished to leave town for the night of the full moon. She took an early dinner, gathered her most essential gear, and asked Laylah to meet her at their meditation spot outside town the next morning. She left town well before dark.
Darra has not yet shared this secret with Ruqayyah, so Laylah did not explain where she had gone when asked, only that it was "private business." Ruqayyah settled for spending her own night running around the countryside in caracal form.
Laylah told Naima about the "sunrise" (?) tattoo from her vision (a detail she did not want to disclose in Hajaj's court, with so many witnesses). Naima reported this to the co-governor, but he did not recognize the symbol.
1 Highsuntide (summer solstice): When Darra came to her senses the next morning, it took her a few hours to find her way back to town. Laylah, who was waiting for her, gave her water, and helped her back to the inn so she could eat and rest. (Ruqayyah had returned somewhat earlier, and was already asleep.)
Naima (having missed everyone that morning) found Laylah that afternoon, to continue getting acquainted. Ruqayyah woke about this time and joined them. She and Laylah spoke at length about gods, priests and what makes "home." They woke Darra in time to perform that evening.
Al-Zaki came to see them during their evening performance. Arrangements with Tashfin had been made, and Al-Zaki would introduce them to the caravan-master on the morrow. They were advised to get to sleep early the night before the caravan left (in three days), because Tashfin preferred to start shortly after dawn. Hajaj would help provide gear for the trip; they should let Al-Zaki know if they had any special needs.
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Copyright 1999 Timothy E. Emrick. | This page last revised 10/7/99. | time@neu.edu