The Thirteenth Scroll: Wanderer’s Orders

[Zaim al-Daleel]

The night's excitement had died down as Dalilah, disquised as a warrior of House Fajirik slipped out of the camp in the company of Cpt. Ramad, Lum and Amir.

Ya’qub and Sahra made their way to the caravan; engaged in quiet conversation beneath a canopy of stars. The moon continued its nightly slide toward the horizon.

Easily avoiding the patrol that rode the edge of the qara'a, the group came to a halt at the invisible boundary that marked the border between the two houses.

Dalilah slipped off her Fajirik disquise and began to bid everyone goodbye...

The true reason why Lum wished to escort Delilah came to the fore. "Commander Dalilah, it has been brought to my attention that there is a Wind of Fate assassin hidden amongst your people." Lum relates the contents of the missive he received by ill-fated means and impresses upon her the need for blood revenge, if she allows it.
Delilah studied Lum's tattoo covered face, perhaps trying to judge his sincerity. After a moment she glanced toward Cpt. Ramad; not for support but resignedly.

"I'll asks the sergeant on duty if he knows this Siraj. Wait here."
Lum waits...But is ever vigilant for an attack
As Delilah walks away from the adventurers, Amir gives Zhalum a hard look.

"Forgive me," Amir begins, "But I suspected your motives were... well... less than honorable regarding the lady. I did not want to betray the Captain's hospitality. Among the al-Badian, a man could be killed for looking at a woman who was... ah... in the interest of another." His gaze turns awkwardly towards Captain Ramad.

"It would bring me joy to help you bring death to your enemy, if you would have my help." he offers finally.

Ramad glanced uneasily into the darkness. "I have no desire to involve myself in the affairs of the Wanderers or Wind of Fate. No good can come of it."

He continued to wait for Delilah's return.

"I accept your apology." Lum stated matter of factly, "But this is a personal affair. If he kills me, I can't stop you from attacking him." A small smile crept on Lum's face, but he immediately regained his composure.

"I do not wish to deny you the satisfaction of putting a blade between this assassin's shoulders," Amir says, "But I will see what I can do to ensure you will have that opportunity."

Dodging another patrol they continued to wait.

The full moon looked down on them as they waited in an awkward silence.

Yet another patrol passed before three figures approached from the direction of the House Ashurim camp.

Delilah walked beside a large, gray bearded warrior. Next to him a whip-thin man whose disarming smile stretched broadly across his handsome face.

"This is Siraj," Delilah said curtly, gesturing toward the whip-thin man. "Recently he has offered to soldier for House Ashurim."

[Zaim al-Daleel]

The large, seasoned warrior at her side took in the group with a slowness that measured up potential threats. Then he spoke, "He'll not admit to being a member of the Wind of Fate, but he'll not deny it either."

He snarled at the accused, and received a pleasant smile in return. "Regardless, he's not welcome with us any longer."

"Sorry you feel that way, Sergeant," Siraj said, sounding truly hurt by the statement.

Delilah turned without a word. The sergeant backed away and then the two of them disappeared into the night, walking in the direction of their camp.

Captain Ramad looked relieved. He too backed away and turning headed back toward House Fajirik camp.

Without a word, Lum struck out at Siraj, throwing his Jambiya with righteous intent to end the man's life.

It all happened so fast that Delilah was close enough to hear a body fall kicking to the desert floor. Ramad stopped long enough for a hasty glance over his shoulder then hurriedly continue toward his camp.

Lum's jambiya was a bloodied protrusion which had suddenly appeared in Siraj's throat. The man lay where he fell, gasping as a fish out of water, his life's blood soaking into the sands.
From the folds of his sleeve fell two thin darts.

Lum dismounted calmly and approached the dead man. His stoic contenance did not change as he pulled his blade from the man's neck. Wiping it clean on Siraj's aba, Lum resheathed it and searched the man intently, but carefully, always aware the man had been an assassin.

When finished he withdrew the missive from his order declaring the death warrant for Siraj, folded it into a neat little square and shoved it into Siraj's mouth. "No virgins and koumiss for you, assassin."
Taking what he had found, Lum rejoined the party and headed back wordlessly to rejoin the others.

Amir's eyes widen in mild surprise. "Impressive," he said. "Though I was half-hoping he would bring some allies with him. I had not yet even decided whether I would use my bow or draw my scimitars. Ah well." Ya'qub, very satisfied, nay, pleased with the results of his negotiations for the sale of the trade goods, turns his attentions to settling accounts. He hands each of the laborers a pouch containing their agreed-upon wages, plus a comfortable bonus.

When the laborers look at him inquisitively at the larger-than-expected amount of gold, The caravaneer smiled his friendliest gap-toothed smile, and said simply "for excellent services rendered, thus far."

He also considers giving Sahra a bonus as well, but is unsure due to her obvious affections for him. He doesn't want it to appear that he only considers her something to be bought at a whim....

In addition, he prepares to offer Amir and Lum and Amin a reward for their work in risking life and limb to accomplish this task.
When they return, he again smiles his gap-toothed merchant smile and welcomes them back:

"Friends! It appears our embassy to this place has been blessed by Fate! I would like to share in my good fortune with you; please accept this reward for your sacrifices on this journey."

Lum had remained silent during his trip back, his mind reliving the scant moments of Siraj's life before his blade delivered his message. Now the Winds of Fate Assassins would more than likely come after him, but no matter, he had done what he had to do and he was satisfied. "Thank you Ya'qub, you are a generous friend, I hope that one day I can repay your kindness twice fold." Lum accepted Ya'qub's reward with a nod and then left to find his novice, Amin.