The 14th Scroll: Farewell to Ali

[Zaim al-Daleel]

The sun was well above the horizon when Sahra awoke with a start. She glanced wildly around, taking in her surroundings for several seconds before relaxing back down to her sleeping mat. A beam of light, full of dancing dust particles, shone through a tear in her tent's roof and played across her face. What dreams she'd had... It wasn't until after her morning devotions and as she was leaving her tent that the reality of the previous night's events hit her as the bright morning sun burned away the last wisps of sleep.

Squinting, she shaded her eyes and looked around until she spotted Rajab and Maarouf sitting on the side of the low hill overlooking the grazing camels. She wandered over and sat beside them. Maarouf passed her a bowl of fresh camel's milk and with but a little prompting she recounted the adventure to her wide-eyed audience.
--
It had been well into the night before Amir and Lum succumbed to exhaustion and turned in. The battle had left them sore and tense. When they awoke mid-morning, they discovered Ali was already awake and busily studying the items inside his tent. On the ground before him was spread the magical carpet Ala'i the Hungry; on top of the magical carpet lay several items.

"I've identified the items," Ali said. "This ring is most interesting and rare. The Ring of the Camel. Its wearer needs fear the desert no more than a camel does!" He laid it down respectfully on the carpet in front of him.

Gesturing to the Jellaba folded neatly on the carpet: "A Jellaba of Concealment. One such as this was a treasured gift from a djinni to the Sultan of Gana many centuries ago."

Rapping his knuckles on the shield he smiled and lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I think I know why that legendary warrior went down with 22 arrows in him... this thing attracts arrows like a dead goat attracts flys!"

Ali then lifted the scimitar and pointed out a line of small engravings near the yellowed ivory hilt. "Not a magical item, but definitely a sword of exceeding quality. These craftsman's engravings are in an ancient Zakharan script that is found only in texts no less than 500 years old..." Ali stared down the length of the blade. "Incredible. Not a nick. The engravings are perhaps the craftman's signature."

"I've also identified the vial, " Ali said, carefully laying the sword down on the carpet before him. He folded his arms and said solemnly, "A genie prison."

After a moment's heavy pause he continued. "I questioned Ala'i the Hungry with the hope of learning more; forgive my use of a page without consulting the rest of you but I felt an urgency that could not be denied and could not wait for you to awaken. Unfortunately, I must have phrased my question in such a way that Ala'i showed me nothing of the genie prison, but rather something quite personal and of a matter that requires me to leave you."

Ali stood and embraced each of his travelling companions. "May fate guide you to glory if that be your desire. Perhaps someday are paths will cross again."

Ali begins to pack his few belongings in preparation to leave.
"Hold on Ali," Lum said with a concerned look, "I do not mean to pry, but if this matter is of such importance perhaps we, your friends, can help you?"

[Zaim al-Daleel]

"You warm my heart with both your offer of assistance and by counting me among your friends. Unfortunately, Ala'i the Hungry showed me a fate that is mine alone to bear." He gestured to the fantastical treasures spread before the party. "Take my share and use it to complete your quest. I go to confront the ghosts of my past and require only my courage and a fast camel."

"May Fate guide your way to success Ali, and many beautiful virgins." Lum said with a smile and grasped Ali's hand firmly once more before he left.

Not liking long goodbye's, Lum turned back and assumed his previous seat. Taking up his vial necklace he put it back on around his neck and then looked to the other treasures. "It looks like we are left with five items. I suggest we destroy the shield, no good can come of it. That would leave four: the ring, scimitar, jellaba and fireball necklace. I would like the scimitar as that is my primary weapon. Anyone else?"

"It is a pity for the warrior who bore it and for us that the shield is cursed," Amir al-Ahmar says. "I had considered carrying it in the stead of one of my blades."

"As for the rest of the treasures," he continues, "I have no need of the ring. That is best worn by one who is unwise in the lore of the desert. The jellaba does not suit my style of fighting, nor I am willing to meddle with the socerous powers which forged the necklace. The scimitar, however," he says eyeing the blade upon the carpet, "Would find good use in my hands." Noting Zhalum's dubious look he adds, "Though you have only seen my prowess with the bow, I assure you a well-honed scimitar in my hands is a deadly thing."
A heavy look fell between the desert rider and Mamluk threatening the fellowship the two shared only moments ago near the camp of the Ashurim. "Perhaps we could determine the right to this fine blade through a friendly contest," Amir suggests, breaking the tension. "My bow against your jambiya. Let our companions and Captain Ramad's men judge the better skill. Unless, of course, someone else wishes to lay claim to the blade."

Ya'qub listens quietly as the two great men of prowess discus the disposition of the treasures before them. "I have used the necklace, and found it useful. I should like to continue to have its use. Also, if no one wishes to claim the jellaba, I'm certain that its powers would be useful as well, in my line of work." He adds with a twinkle in his eye. "As for the ring, I can carry it, until such time as one of us decides to claim it..."

Ya'qub had seen firsthand the tension that could be generated by these warriors. He had no wish to see it again. "Well said, Amir! A contest of skill to determine the recipient of this magnificent scimitar! I for one would like to see a demonstration of your skills against targets a little less deadly than what we have faced heretofore."

Zhalum's dubious look was indeed present when Amir also stated he wanted the scimitar, Lum had always thought the desert rider wore his two blades only for show, wonders never ceased to amaze him. Then with a bare toothed guffaw, Lum smiled and said in response to Ya'qub's desires, "You are indeed some merchant! If I hadn't known better, I would think you just laid claim to three of the four treasures we have! Sly merchant indeed, perhaps I should check all my fingers and toes to see if you've managed someway to sell some missing ones back to me!" Lum laughed out loud.

"Yes, a contest it is. The one who prevails shall decide the fate of the Scimitar, the other, well, I guess they'll have to bargain with Yaq'ub for their share."

Ali cautioned against involving their host in the division of the treasures. "It would be... ill mannered for us to do so. Best to handle this amongst ourselves."

He considered for a moment. "A test of skills, yes, but I propose it is with the scimitar. Three contests, with the sword going to the warrior who proves the better of at least two of the three."

Nodding in approval of his own suggestion, Ali continued. "A test of speed, a test of accuracy, and a test of strength! All with the contested scimitar. What say you two? Surely Fate will insure the weapon goes to the most worthy bearer. If you decide my idea is worthy, I shall prepare the tests."

[Zaim al-Daleel]

Ali lifted and inspected the shield. "No one seems to be interested in this magical shield, so if no one objects I will gladly take it with me. Perhaps it will be a beneficial item to have nearby but not in hand when arrows are a threat. Not all battles are won through strength of arm, often the victor is he who fights with his mind!"

"I would like to keep it simple, yes Amir? But I will defer to your desires in this."

"Agreed!" Amir says enthusiasticaly. "Prepare your test and I shall show you how such a magnificent blade is to be used."

A short while later, near the corrals that held the camp's goats, Ali set up the tests.

Raising a short hollow bone, Ali said: "The first test is for speed. As the sand runs from this bone, slice the ropes hanging from the fence post before you, alternating your blows from one side to the other. The warrior who slices the most pieces wins."

Gesturing to a candle set atop the next post: "Here we test accuracy. The warrior who slices the thinnest slice with a full swing blow demonstrates superior accuracy.

"Next, a test of strength." A three-foot length of a thick palm tree stood upright on the ground nearby. "The deepest cut proves the stronger warrior."

"Move from one test to the next without pause. Ya'Qub will call out when the bone timer is empty. May fate deliver the sword to the most worthy bearer."

Ali bent and filled the bone level with sand then showed it to all. "I am ready to begin."

"Fine, let's get this over with." Lum did not like contests, especially long drawn out ones. When did a candle ever attack him? Drawing his blade, Lum took to the task with a measured forbearance, unlike his usual style of going all out on the attack.

As Amir and Lum stood by, Ali and Ya'Qub double-checked the results. With a nod of agreement, the judges faced the competitors.

"Amir, your cut was the deepest but Fate guided Lum's arm in both speed and accuracy."

"It seems our skill with the blade is separated by a hair's breadth." Amir says, wrenching the ancient scimitar from the stump of palm. "Perhaps the warrior who bore this blade matched your temperament better than mine." With a quick nod, he passes the treasure to Zhalum. "Let us hope Fate has not also blessed you with his talent for attracting arrows."

"Well, I'll take that as a compliment, Amir." Lum said as he deftly resheathed his new scimitar for Fate had decided it knew it's true master. Funny how Fate had bestowed upon him the win. He had used average skill in the speed and accuracy attempts of the contest and tried his best for the strength portion, but didn't measure up even to his usual prowess. Lum thought for sure he had lost based on that alone.

"So what item will you take Amir? We can't have Yaq'ub taking it all." Lum said with a smile again towards the formidable merchant. "Also, since there will be one item left between the three of us, perhaps we should dice for it. One die, for what is left?"

"There is little left of use to me except perhaps the ring." Amir says. "Only a fool would call himself a master of the desert, though I know it's dangers better than most. The ring might prove useful me. I have no trouble letting Ya'qub keep both the jellaba and necklace. Both will serve him well, and in turn, us. Which reminds me," he says, turning to Zhalum. "I have been wondering how you came by that pendant Ali calls a genie prison?"

"My necklace was a gift from a friend, little did I know how powerful it was." Turning to Ya'qub and changing the subject, "So merchant, which is it to be? The Jellaba or Fire necklace? I shall dice you for the Fate of the one you do not choose, eh?" With that said, Lum produced a well-worn six sided die made of bone. "I'll let you take the first roll." Lum said with a grin.

[Zaim al-Daleel]

Looking deep into his fellow-traveler's eyes and seeing no malice, The gap-toothed caravaneer broke into a wide smile. “I think the fire-necklace would be sufficient for me, since I have been successful thus far with it. However, since we are all in the mood for sport, I will dice you for the cloak. As I observed, it could be helpful, but certainly not necessary for my work."

"Ah," Amir says. "That explains the enigma. Twice I have been warned by a powerful djinn, 'Beware the sealed gift bestowed but forgotten.' I did not know what that meant until now. Ali was clearly uncomfortable with the item, and though I do not always trust them, I have learned that anything a sorcerer dislikes is best avoided. It is too bad the carpet was unable to tell him more."
Ya'Qub cast a 2. Lum cast a 6.

With a chuckle Ya'qub returned the die to Lum. "May Fate smile upon me more in my business dealings than in my gameplay!"
Lum was very happy with his roll and smiled broadly. "Thank you Ya'qub, If you ever need to borrow it, please let me know." Lum wasn't so much as happy that he got the Jellaba, just that he won the dice roll. If the Mamluk warrior did have one vice, it was gambling.

"Does your greed know no bounds, Mamluk?" Amir laughs, you could swear, almost good-naturedly. "Here you have a jinn imprisoned in a flask, an ancient scimitar whose like has not been seen in 500 years, and yet you squabble for more!" He turns to Ya'qub. "Zhalum claims it is unjust for you to hold three items of great value, and yet he now has three for himself and we are left with one apiece." He shakes his head. "Perhaps you are not so great a merchant after all, lest justice for men of trade is a different thing than for wise men."

"The genie prison was mine from before Amir, and nothing stopped you from dicing for the Jellaba." His smile worn away by Amir's insult, Lum bowed to Ya'qub and left to do an important task that needed attending to before the group left.

"If restraint for one's greed and hubris is nothing..." Amir mutters angrily, half to himself and half to Ya'qub. "Never before have I fought so bitterly with a man and not sheathed my sword in his back!" He fumes dangerously for a moment and then chuckles unexpectedly. "But for all of his maddening arrogance the Mamluk is a brave and worthy warrior. Perhaps that is enough." He laughs. "Ah, I have spent too much time among you men of the city! My own people would mock my softness, if only..." He trails off and a sudden gloom seems to take hold of him. "I must see to Sulayman." he says suddenly, and walks hastily away.

Turning to Amir, Ya’qub’s good-natured smile flickered but a little. "I for one would not call you soft, and as far as Lum is concerned, well, you both are men of passion, and I believe it is this passion which has kept you as well as all of us alive on this journey. As for the jellaba, well, Fate gives and Fate takes," he adds with a shrug. "I am content, as I can see that what awaits is worth far more than what is here."