SESSION FIFTY
While awaiting word of how the coup had gone elsewhere, the Dragons of the Desert busied themselves with mastering the intricacies of their realm. The most pressing issue was to exert control over their new vassals. Ethlyn sent out a missive to the beys of her four oasis sub-domains, Bab al-Djebel, Bir Muktar, Bou Farfa, and Oued Tal, calling them to council on the 23rd of Genethelen.
Meanwhile, Zoya recruited the sycophantic Vahtak Bey as spymaster of the realm. Mahmud, as Grand Mufti, recruited 180 young men to be trained as soldiers. These were placed under the charge of Androcles and a light infantry marshal. A heavy infantry marshal and cataphract marshal were also hired for more advanced training. Shikra and Rakh began to earnestly recruit experienced followers that could buttress the band’s depleted forces.
Mahmud’s wife, Aaliyah, found the condition of the harem unacceptable and began to organize those houri who had not already left for her husband’s benefit. Ethlyn found this outrageous – “I told them that they could freely choose to stay or go, and do as they wish!” Aaliyah matched her outrage. “There are none of us free to choose – all is decided by the hand of Fate. I know that a harem of houri is nothing to you, but it is disrespectful to my husband that with your outlander ways you have dismissed these women rather than give them to him.” When the remaining women indicated their preference to stay as Mahmud’s harem in the luxurious palace rather than depart for the vagaries of the city, Ethlyn gave her grudging assent.
Having delegated to Vahtak Bey the burdensome tasks of management, Zoya (along with her closest comrades Celic and Dornethan) went on a hijink, attempting to bring 210 loads of lamp oil (21,000gp worth) into Khaibar under the noses of the Merchant’s Guild. She and Dornethan were unfortunately caught red-handed and brought to the prison. It was still under repair from the last time Zoya had visited the establishment.
Mahmud might have simply released Zoya had Abdullah al-Dinar, the head of the local Merchant’s Guild, not arrived at his court demanding justice. “Such outrage perpetrated under your new administration! I demand justice!” Mahmud offered to quest the two thieves with some perilous task, an offer which left al-Dinar sputtering with fury. “What! Ridiculous. By the laws of Opelenea these perpetrators should have both their hands cut off! At a minimum they must be branded and fined!” Mahmud sighed heavily. Zoya didn’t seem like the type to accept branding.
Fortunately, before he and al-Dinar reached the prison to enact justice, Zoya and Dornethan had made good an escape. Mahmud pretended outrage. “Again, an escape from the prison. Again, this is the work of the Mad Dog of the Desert!” he exclaimed. “I do not want the citizens to worry. I will find this villain.” He then paid for Al-Dinar’s “silence” on the matter with a sizeable bribe.
On the 23rd of Genethelen came two messengers and two caravans. The messengers were from Bab al-Djebel and Bou Farfa. Each carried a dispatch from their ruling bey.
The courier from Bab al-Djebel walked up to Ethlyn without bowing or greeting her as pasha and handed his message. “You talk of freedom for Opelenea, but yet an Auran is still in power, and a woman at that. The people of Opelenea have no need of such pretenders! Bey Ebrahim.” Having delivered his message, the courier turned with contempt, leaving the palace with no kind words or respectful gestures. Before the eyes of her assembled vassals and people, Ethlyn was losing terrible face. She responded harshly. She gestured to Nestor, her centurion. “Cut this one’s tongue out.” To her scribe, she dictated a message: “This messenger did not speak with proper respect. Send me a new one who will speak more to my liking.” Gurgling and bleeding, the messenger was booted from the palace carrying Ethlyn’s response.
The next courier was from Bou Farfa. His message read “”Most gracious Pasha, I must decline your kind offer. Certain family traditions and ties of blood leave me to believe that the Council of Wisdom in Ber-Gathy will be a better allegiance for my Oasis. I wish the Light of Imran upon you. Bey Rasheed” Senef whispered into Ethlyn’s ear. “This one’s words are sweeter, but the underlying message is the same. He tells you to fuck yourself. You must answer strongly.”
Ethlyn called for another scribe and dictated. “Bey Rasheed, thank you for your well wishes. May the light of Imran shine also upon you and your family. I respect your close ties with the Elders of Ber-Gathy. However, your realm has ancient and sacred oaths binding it to Khaibar. I hope you will continue to honor these oaths of your ancestors. Do not forget that we are much closer to you than Ber-Gathy. Consider the benefits to trade and security you will enjoy as part of our realm. Pasha Ethlyn”
Next up was Bey Maadoi of Bir Muktar. He was an older man, stooped and grey. “Pasha, I bring you a gift. 3 young men of handsome visage and strapping endurance, as a gift to your harem. May they bring you great joy. All of us hope for prosperity under your rule. We have never had it under Auran rule. We all pray that you will bring it.” Ethlyn concealed her surprise at the strange gift, and thanked Bey Maadoi profusely. She then pronounced that she would pay for a festival for all of his people (a 13,500gp value) and asked him to send his soldiery to Khaibar upon his return to Bir Muktar. “I will call my men to arms as soon as I arrive home,” he assured her.
Finally came Bey Shovai of Oued Taal, a tan and fit man in his 30s. “Great Pasha, the people of Oued Taal praise your deeds and welcome your rule under the light of Imran. We come today as supplicants. Brigands from the salt waste have been raiding my domain. They come with fire, steel, and dark magic. They have already butchered 60 people. Can you help us?”
Ethlyn did not hesitate. “We will use all of our powers to end this menace,” she said. The entire party breathed a sigh of relief. At last, something to KILL! After appropriate feasts and courtly needs were attended to, the Dragons of the Desert set out the next day for Oued Taal.
On the 25th the party arrived at the oasis. They had been there before, of course, as adventurers. Lamech, the largest proprietor in town, warmly greeted them. “Remember Lamech! Lamech who supplied you with all your equipment when you ventured into the Desert of Desolation!” “We remember how much you charged for 500’ of rope!” they laughed.
Bey Shovai’s scouts had caught a prisoner and Rakh and Ethlyn subjected him to interrogation. Under their gentle ministry, the prisoner revealed that the bandit’s force numbered a few hundred, mostly archers and light horse, encamped about 10 miles to the north-east. The prisoner was utterly terrified of his leaders: Valros, “a renegade Auran tribune too cruel even for the Butcher to tolerate” and Kamal, “a Kemeshi priest of dark gods who fights with two swords and sends souls to hell.”
Under Bellona’s strategic leadership, the Dragons of the Desert led Oued Taal’s forces to face the bandits. While the bandits had little intention of a stand-up fight, the Dragons stole an early march on their enemy, and forced them to battle. Valros’s troops deployed amidst the ruins of an ancient Zaharan casbah, littered with ruined walls and rubbled buildings. The bandits had 120 bowmen and 60 light cavalry, while the Dragons had 240 light infantry, 120 bowmen, and 60 camel archers. The Dragons led a heroic foray against a broken wall from which Valros and Kamal were leading the battle.
Mahmud and Rakh led the camel archers forward, while Shikra, Suad, and Bellona soared invisibly overhead on their magic carpet. The mounted advance was treacherous, for not only was there the mudbrick debris everywhere, but Valros had hidden rusty, jagged weapons and sharp rocks amidst the sands to cut up charging camelry. Arrows carpeted the sands, and casualties spilled their blood. As Mahmud and Rakh broke through the traps, Valros and his lieutenants led a charge from the walls. Rakh and the lieutenants tore into each other in a bloody duel that left them all fallen on the sands. The Auran renegade Valros and Opelenean paladin Mahmud were evenly-matched and sliced into each other.
Suad unleashed an illusionary dragon onto the men below, and a moment later, Bellona followed up with a fireball that devastated a mass of the troops. The appearance of the mages above the lines prompted Kamal to take action – he unveiled draconic wings and soared up to the flying carpet. His strength and speed was of two men, and in moments Suad was cut down. He might have dealt with the other mages as well, but on the battlefield below, the bandits were fleeing.
Valros and Kamal chose to retreat before they could be captured. The Dragons and their forces engaged in a hot pursuit that killed and captured many, but the foe had kept enough cavalry in reserve to screen their escape. When the fighting wound down, the Dragons had 15 dead camel archers, 30 dead bowmen, and 30 dead light infantry, with equal wounded. They had killed 60 bandit bowmen and 15 bandit cavalry, and captured an equal number.