[Nerindel]

"I say that you should not talk so of your- employers. "
"Especially if they may be listening to you"

Ghurdan smirked, but said nothing, So this young man is not as foolish as Zasfal believes him to be he thought as he followed Sammael's nod to the priestess Dristi.

Zasfal's mouth went dry as he saw the priestess tighten her grip on her dagger, a million thoughts rushed through his head, did she hear them, would she kill them..... but before he could sort any of them out he heard Sammael again,

"And Zasfal, I must say your acrobats look far better out of uniform."

He could feel the fear and doubt leave him instantly, as the anger welled inside him, he gritted his teeth and felt his hand tighten about his own sword. He slowly turned to Sammael to see him tip his head, laugh and walk off. His cheeks flush with rage he stalked off to the rear or the cart.

Ghurdan watched the encounter with feigned interest. The taunt did not affect him in the slightest, but he had been a little annoyed when Sevora had ordered that he share command of his crew with the young man, but the annoyance was fleeting, he thought it would be interesting to see how his crew would react under the leadership of another.

Meanwhile Zasfal's heavy pack was weighing him down and the heat of the blazing sun searing his flesh made him more irritable, he nearly walked into the old tribesman as he stopped dead and burst out laughing. Crazy old coot! he thought to himself, then he noticed that Thorgom's pack was lighter than his.

"Why don't you carry something just like everyone else?" he said irritably.

"I'm not everyone else. I have my own stuff and am not causing you any trouble. I'm not going to carry other people's supplies." was the mans only reply.

Zasfal's face reddened, "Not even the supplies of that pretty priestess you are stalking?" he spat venomously.

Zasfal didn't know what hit him his eyes blurred and he found himself on the ground, the side of his face throbbing. As his eyes readjusted he saw the large tribesman towering over him, he then felt someone pull him to his feet. His eyes burned with rage when he saw the axe in Thorgoms hand and realised what had happened.

"You be lucky that axe is not double sided. It would have done a lot of damage to that face of yours. Be careful with what you say to me. I might be old, but I am still more than enough to rip you to pieces."

As the old man turned away, Zasfal's hand went to the black hammer that was tucked in his belt, but before he could pull it out he felt Ghurdan's heavy hand on his shoulder. "Take up with the rear guard" Ghurdan whispered in the agitated man's ear, but Zasfal continued to stare at the olds man's back, "That's an order!" Ghurdan growled impatiently. Letting go of his hammer and affording the sea captain a curt nod he reluctantly made his way to the rear of the caravan.

Ghurdan wiped the sweat from his brow, At this rate I will be needing a new first mate before we get back, he thought to himself. He intended to keep the young man there until he calmed down and thought on how foolish he had been.

He looked around, they were now on the outskirts of the city, there was a scattering of small wooden huts and a small herd of scruffy looking goats watched their passing nervously. Raising his hand to shield his eyes he looked up, the sky was cloudless and he could see that the sun had risen higher. As he looked back down he could see the hazy outline of the desert just ahead.

"You, You, You and You, follow me" he barked picking out Four of his fittest men. picking up the pace he and the four men, passed Thorgom, then Sammael, Damodred and Essenia. He then positioned two men either side of the front of the cart, then he turned to Sevora and asked "In what direction do you wish us to travel ma'lady?" he asked affording the priestess a short nod, but he did not lower his eyes, no! he would not make that mistake again.

[ June 28, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ]