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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Feb 16, 2010 16:44:58 GMT -7
The prospect of returning to the rigors of traveling through the jungle dulled any enthusiasm for hurrying back to the ship. The white sands were a pleasant respite from the rolling wooden decks of Bright Dancer. It was decided that you would pass the night here, beneath the leaning palms and spreading canopy of stars.
Fate and Rasool's net provided a bounty of fish for your dinner which he soon had turning on sticks over a low fire. Drops of fat occasionally dropped hissing into the embers and no doubt the delicious smell carried far into the darkness. No one worried over much at the thought of predators for true to his word, Waleed summoned Saleh to sit with you at this evening meal.
The efreeti proved a master storyteller and you were surprised at how far the stars had wheeled when he finished a final wondrous tale. "I tire..." he said, and faded away.
Exhausted after a long day, you lie down in the warm sand and quickly drift into sleep. You begin to experience an uncomfortable sensation, as if you were physically sliding through the sands and falling into a bottomless abyss.
"Did you truly think I would forget you, Ashtarek?" A silvery female voice rings in your head, echoing through the darkness. "While I slept I dreamed of you, dreamed of our next meeting..."
A shadow in the darkness takes the shape of a woman crawling seductively toward you. You know her to be raven-haired and ruby-lipped through you can see only shades of darkness. You know that her face is more lovely than the moon and bears a warm smile.
"While I slept I dreamed of you... It doesn't have to end like last time..."
The shadow pins you to the sands with the weight of her tempting malevolence. Your chest is heavy and your cries are no more than moans. Suddenly her face clouds with anger and the weight lifts.
"Curse you priest!"
You sit up to find Adila leaning over you in the silvery moonlight, pressing the clay seal to your brow.
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Post by Waleed on Feb 20, 2010 15:32:09 GMT -7
"Whats going on here?" Waleed says, grasping Adila by the hand. "Are you making me see these visions or are you saving me from them?"
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Mar 4, 2010 8:08:42 GMT -7
Adila didn't reply. Blinking in the moonlight, Waleed saw that Adila's face was slack and her eyes stared sightlessly beyond him.
A short distance away, Rasool moaned in his sleep. After a pause, Waleed released Adila and she crawled over to the sailor. She pressed the seal to Rasool's forehead and his moaning ceased. After a moment's pause, Adila laid down and went to sleep.
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Post by Waleed on Mar 6, 2010 12:14:27 GMT -7
"Interesting." Was all Waleed could manage. Wanting to go back to sleep, but not wanting to forget what had just happened, Waleed roused himself momentarily to scribble down his dream as he remembered it. Once finished, he laid back down to sleep.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Apr 5, 2010 15:47:57 GMT -7
The dreams return the next night after a day spent preparing to sail back toward Dhiliz. You sleep beneath the stars on the deck of the Bright Dancer, anchored offshore awaiting a favorable wind.
Breathless whispers full of promise spin about you.
"While I slept I dreamed of you... Ashtarek... dreamed of our next meeting..." You awaken. The moon beyond your grasping hands is an unreachable, receding blur that illuminates the emerald sea waters that engulf you. Unseen hands pull insistent at your heavy robes. Her voice becomes sinister, mocking, cruel. "Did you think I would forget you?"
Thrashing free of your robes you kick voilently toward the surface, lungs burning, eyes fixed on the wavering moon above. So close! No! Cold hands clamp around your ankle...
Gasping, you sit up on the deck of the Bright Dancer, dry but for the sweat that covers you. Adila is there with the seal, her eyes distant and unseeing. From her lips you hear the venerable voice of Suhail min Zann: "Seek the southern shores where the Lost One dwells. Only then will your dreams be safe."
Then Adila made her way around the deck, relieving other sufferers from the dreams.
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Post by Waleed on May 3, 2010 12:16:34 GMT -7
Still breathing heavy from his dream, Waleed goes to the Rubban and informs him, "Set sail for the southern shores, there we will find our answers, hopefully."
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on May 19, 2010 15:49:17 GMT -7
Shabab strode up the short flight of steps and pushed aside the sailor at the helm. He spun the wheel hard to port with one arm and looked up into the star filled sky.
"To the Isle of Afyal! The native peoples there once worshipped an elephantine god, its name now forgotten... the Lost One."
When the constellations where aligned to his satisfaction, Shabab spun the wheel back to neutral. "It must be Afyal."
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Post by Waleed on May 20, 2010 7:52:48 GMT -7
"Afyal. The Lost One. This should be an interesting trip."
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on May 20, 2010 15:55:22 GMT -7
"Hold this course," Shabab ordered, returning the wheel to the sailor. The tall captain walked down and joined Waleed and Ya'qub where they stood by the railing.
"You should know," Shabab said, rubbing the last of the sleep from his eyes, "the island Kingdom of Afyal has but one city, Medina al-Afyal, on the far northern end. It is one of the enlightened Throne's most distant outposts."
He pulled a weathered parchment from a scroll case tucked in his sash and spread it open on the sturdy wooden railing. The moonlight revealed a map of the crowded sea.
"There." His finger touched down on an island far to the north east of Dihliz. "Do not doubt that the Grand Caliph is aware of Medina al-Afyal, for it's one of his most prosperous cities. In wealth, it rivals Huzuz! Traders from the far distant east have stopped there for centuries, trading all manner of foreign goods for Afyal's precious metals, exotic hard woods, jewelry, and even elephants."
Sliding his finger down the length of the map to the southern shores of the island, he tapped it for emphasis.
"Here, however, makes the Grey Jungles seem tame. Wild beasts and monsters step from legends. You must be very careful."
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Post by Waleed on May 22, 2010 10:32:28 GMT -7
Waleed nods in acknowledgment. "How soon will we arrive at our destination?"
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on May 23, 2010 10:49:53 GMT -7
"Three days, fate willing."
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on May 25, 2010 15:50:02 GMT -7
A dark line had appeared on the horizon midway through the third day. A few hours later you were sailing parallel to the island looking for a suitable inlet or bay to drop anchor. Now, with the sun slipping into the fire-hued horizon behind you, you stand again at the railing.
Beyond a shadowy stretch of coral reef waves break rhythmically against tall rocky cliffs. From a break in the vine covered cliffs a thin river idles into the sea. It flows beneath the shadows and through the protruding roots of trees that dwarf any you've ever seen.
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Post by Waleed on May 27, 2010 11:09:43 GMT -7
Pointing to the river, Waleed asks the rubban, "I assume that's too narrow to take the ship, right? Would you suggest a rowboat?"
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on May 27, 2010 15:19:05 GMT -7
"We can anchor here," the captain replied. "any closer and we risk drifting into the reefs. With your permission, I would go with you on this trip."
Two boats, each large enough to hold half of Bright Dancer's crew, hang securely from the sides of the ship.
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Post by Waleed on May 29, 2010 13:02:06 GMT -7
"If that is what you wish, Rubban. Let us be under way then."
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Dec 3, 2012 21:00:33 GMT -7
The island draws nearer with each stroke of the oars. Between the rythmic crash of surf the sounds of the jungle reach your ears. Rising and falling with the swells you see how truly wild the isle is. Vine covered trees tall as the Bright Dancer is long teem with colorful birds and monkeys.
A shadow slides across the waters before you. Then another. Above you circle two birds no smaller than a man, dreary gray plumage fanned out beneath fleshy bald heads. Giant vultures.
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Post by Waleed on Jan 4, 2013 7:27:58 GMT -7
Decided to check in today... lol
Waleed has never liked vultures, or any sort, flying or those on two legs. His hand caressed the hilt of his scimitar, ready to draw it forth if the need arised.
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Post by Ya'qub on Feb 7, 2013 19:11:45 GMT -7
Ya'qub also watches the wheeling of the birds, as if they were anticipating some future disaster. He was glad no one wanted to speak to him, as he knew his stammer would be quite pronounced.
[sorry about the delay]
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Post by Waleed on Mar 2, 2014 15:21:29 GMT -7
Waleed continued to check the skies and thought to himself, 'It's very bright today, I may get a sunburn if I stay out too long--hopefully there will be some cloud cover as I'd hate to fight with the sun in my eyes.'
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Apr 11, 2014 17:07:23 GMT -7
The giant birds wheel away, back towards the island and soon disappear in the trees.
"Pull!" Shabab yells at the sailors at the oars. "You've all grown soft! I'll be an old man before we reach that shore!"
Perhaps an unseen current conspired to keep you from your destination, but once again you're progressing toward the isle.
A short while later, the longboat hits the sandy bank of the river as sailors leap from the sides and pull you ashore.
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Post by Waleed on Jun 12, 2014 1:59:08 GMT -7
Waleed jumps to shore and with hand on sword hilt, surveys the area for any signs of danger, "Ya'qub, quit dwaddling and get over here--I have need of your expert eyes!"
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Post by Waleed on Jul 22, 2014 1:54:48 GMT -7
Waleed looked up to the sky, looking for any portents of what may lie ahead of them. "I fear I may not return from this trip intact," he murmured to himself.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Jul 22, 2014 21:35:31 GMT -7
The sailors drew straws and fate chose one man to remain with the boats. None were sure if fate had smiled upon him and spared him from whatever lay ahead in the dark jungle or cursed him to die alone fighting off giant vultures or worse. The man, Liheem, drew his scimitar and squatted down in the slim shade beside one of the boats, content to find out.
You crossed the narrow band of sand and entered the jungle. The beach was quickly lost to sight and the crashing surf soon became a faint sound beneath a cacophony of insects, birds, and monkeys. The heat clung like a wet blanket about you as you pushed and cut your way through broadleaf plants laden with water.
For an hour or more you struggled, managing to avoid several serpents, but none of the mosquitos. An afternoon shower did little to improve the spirits of the sailors. Then, ahead of you, Ya'Qub's sharp eyes picked out a glistening of polished, white stone beneath a growth of vines. Some sort of structure sits before you, large and obscured beneath the creeping vines and roots of enormous trees.
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Post by Waleed on Aug 18, 2014 9:22:46 GMT -7
"Let us clear some of these vines away to determine what this is, or if able to ascend it in some manner," Waleed says as he begins to hack away at the vines.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Aug 21, 2014 17:01:24 GMT -7
As the vines fall away an enormous elephant statue of cracked white marble is revealed. Majestically it rears on its hind legs, large tusks framing an outstretched trunk.
One enthusiastic sailor, called Maymoom for his nimble monkey-like agility among the masts and sails, straddles one tusk, running his hands along its smooth yellowed surface.
"These tusks! It be ivory, for real," he calls down excitedly.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Aug 25, 2014 7:36:58 GMT -7
Before anyone can respond, a low rumbling sound rolls through the cacophony of insect, bird, and other unseen creature sounds that permeate the jungle. Each sailor looks about nervously, unsure from which direction the sound originated or even if was near or far. A moment later, the sound repeats, but in a lower pitch.
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Post by Waleed on Aug 27, 2014 23:43:50 GMT -7
"Maymoom,get down quickly, you may have offended the spirits about here." Motioning to make a circle to fend off any attackers, Waleed waits for something that hopefully won't happen.
If nothing comes... "Let us investigate this sounds' origins, carefully."
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Aug 28, 2014 12:35:13 GMT -7
Maymoom drops quickly down and unsheathes his jambiya, his sea-weathered face pale with fear. "I should have stayed safely on the ship," he mutters. Aloud he calls out: "Tell the spirits, no offense! This humble man means no offense!"
No more rumbling sounds are heard, and the noise of the jungle continues unabated. After a few moments of listening and peering through the foliage, the sailors relax, chuckling at their nervousness.
"Let us have a go at those tusks..." Maymoom began with a smile.
"Silence!" Shabab ordered, slicing his hand through the air. All followed his gaze into the green depths and detected gray shapes steadily approaching.
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Post by Waleed on Mar 29, 2015 10:25:27 GMT -7
"Form up, but don't attack unless you are attacked... remember, we are the intruders here." Waleed, still with sword in hand, stood at the forefront of the group and awaited those that were moving towards them. "Hopefully we can talk our way out of any fight, hopefully."
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Apr 7, 2015 20:52:24 GMT -7
The approaching shapes draw closer, emerging from the foliage as full sized gray elephants; surprisingly quiet for such enormous beasts. They encircle your group and then stop, large inscrutable eyes meeting your own.
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