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piosenniel · 08-12-2003, 12:28 PM

Late night of the day of the envoy’s arrival

‘That was a dangerous crossing for you! Come in! Come in!’ Husam pulled the black clad man into the tent, two large dark shadows crowding their way in behind him.

‘Not so dangerous,’ said Bemah, unwrapping the dark scarf that hid all but his eyes. ‘The hounds were with me, and they sniffed the presence of the Eye’s men out. We gave them wide berth.’ He sat down on the mat in the middle of the tent, his dogs resting at the entryway. ‘We saw the army as it passed through our lands. Rough looking men. He flashed his hands, fingers spread out, four times. ‘That many for the warriors. And we saw the young ones, too. Baobab and Painted Sands – just as many.’ He shook his head. ‘Bad men, well armed.’

There was still some tea left in the copper kettle. Nasr poured the three of them a small cup of the strong beverage. ‘We drove our flocks out to the far, summer pasture and the women and children went with them, along with Malik’s two sons and five of the dogs. We did not want the army anywhere near them.’

Husam clapped his friend on the shoulder. ‘Surely you did not come to give us news of the dark army.’ He looked his friend in the eye. Bemah laughed, throwing his hands in the air as if he had been found out. ‘You know we like to insure our investments.’ His face creased into a wide smile and his eyes glimmered in the soft light of the little lantern. ‘I want to make sure there is someone to receive the goats and I intend to collect the rest of the agreed on price.’ He turned and winked at Nasr, and all three broke into soft laughter, a welcome sound after a grim evening.

The laughter died down, and Husam grew thoughtful. Turning to Nasr he said, ‘Go wake Faruq, and tell him to meet us at Ishak’s tent. They should know what Bemah has told us. We’ll meet you there.’

Nasr slipped out between the two dogs and went quickly toward Faruq’s tent. Husam, his hand resting on Bemah’s shoulder walked with him to where the Painted Sands’ leader had his tent. ‘Tell me,’ he said quietly, the two dogs loping behind them, ‘did you come alone . . .’

08-12-2003, 12:28 PM	#148
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Late night of the day of the envoy’s arrival ‘That was a dangerous crossing for you! Come in! Come in!’ Husam pulled the black clad man into the tent, two large dark shadows crowding their way in behind him. ‘Not so dangerous,’ said Bemah, unwrapping the dark scarf that hid all but his eyes. ‘The hounds were with me, and they sniffed the presence of the Eye’s men out. We gave them wide berth.’ He sat down on the mat in the middle of the tent, his dogs resting at the entryway. ‘We saw the army as it passed through our lands. Rough looking men. He flashed his hands, fingers spread out, four times. ‘That many for the warriors. And we saw the young ones, too. Baobab and Painted Sands – just as many.’ He shook his head. ‘Bad men, well armed.’ There was still some tea left in the copper kettle. Nasr poured the three of them a small cup of the strong beverage. ‘We drove our flocks out to the far, summer pasture and the women and children went with them, along with Malik’s two sons and five of the dogs. We did not want the army anywhere near them.’ Husam clapped his friend on the shoulder. ‘Surely you did not come to give us news of the dark army.’ He looked his friend in the eye. Bemah laughed, throwing his hands in the air as if he had been found out. ‘You know we like to insure our investments.’ His face creased into a wide smile and his eyes glimmered in the soft light of the little lantern. ‘I want to make sure there is someone to receive the goats and I intend to collect the rest of the agreed on price.’ He turned and winked at Nasr, and all three broke into soft laughter, a welcome sound after a grim evening. The laughter died down, and Husam grew thoughtful. Turning to Nasr he said, ‘Go wake Faruq, and tell him to meet us at Ishak’s tent. They should know what Bemah has told us. We’ll meet you there.’ Nasr slipped out between the two dogs and went quickly toward Faruq’s tent. Husam, his hand resting on Bemah’s shoulder walked with him to where the Painted Sands’ leader had his tent. ‘Tell me,’ he said quietly, the two dogs loping behind them, ‘did you come alone . . .’ __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.