LXVI. Desert Gloom

"Now, will someone please explain what just went on here?" Edward demanded.

The brass dragons described the events of the past ten years that had led up to the day's dragon-battle.

"I see," said Edward, Green Arrow and Lina nodding in agreement. "It seems our arrival was particularly timely," added Lina.

"We would surely have been driven from our home, at the least, had you not come to our aid," said Iphess, "and for that we will be grateful evermore." She added, "And we will demonstrate our gratitude." And she and Simeheff did just that, rewarding the adventurers with a huge booty of gold, weapons, magic items and other treasures. The victors also searched the corpses of the vanquished, retrieving additional valuables.

Back inside the mine, the adventurers asked the dragons if they could tell them anything that would aid them in their mission. The dragons knew nothing of Khemri, Thutep or Neferata. They had, however, heard of the oasis of Uf. "A well-known trade center, one of the largest in all the desert," said Iphess. "Perhaps five thousand inhabitants." Lina described the death mask, and asked the dragons if they had ever seen or heard of such a thing. "Not this object specifically," replied Simeheff, "but Uf is known for dealing in antiquities. Perhaps one of the merchants there can advise you."

The conversation then turned to the dragons and their needs. "Would you possibly be able to provide us with long-term protection, perhaps an alliance of some kind?" asked Simeheff. "We would be happy to help protect the caravan route as part of such an agreement." Edward approved of the proposal, and, taking Green Arrow and Lina aside, suggested that they refer the matter to the Enterprise. All agreed that such an alliance would be favorably viewed by the Enterprise.

"We think that’s an excellent idea," Edward advised the dragons. "My companion will return to our home and consult with superiors in our organization. They may well be interested in making a deal with you." At that, Green Arrow teleported back to Darksea, where he proceeded promptly to the Enterprise station chief in the underground city to brief him on the recent events and the dragons’ offer. In the meantime, Edward and Lina brought the rest of the caravan, who had been hiding from the battle ever since it began, into the mine to rest and refresh themselves.

After the briefing, Green Arrow made a quick jaunt to Greyhawk to obtain a number of magic items, including additional arrows of cure critical wounds, a ring of evasion for Edward, an upgraded amulet of health for Lina, and another wish ring. Upon his return to Darksea, he returned to his estate for the night, then met with the Enterprise station chief the next day to follow up on the briefing. An agent from the Prime Material division of the Recruiting Directorate (an experienced diplomat named Orosius) met with Green Arrow at the station office, and informed him that the Enterprise had authorized him to negotiate with the dragons to establish an Enterprise presence in the mines and assist them in guarding the trade route. "Should make for some good field experience for some of our fighters," Orosius observed.

The two Enterprise agents teleported back to the brass dragons’ mine, where Orosius proceeded to negotiate an arrangement under which the dragons would hire Enterprise members to protect the mine and secure the trade route.

Three days later, the adventurers were ready to proceed on the next leg of the journey: a march of twenty days, covering about two hundred miles, to a small oasis. From the oasis, another month’s travel would cover the final three hundred miles to the oasis of Uf. The dragons provided fresh water and some food to the caravan, which would supplement the food and drink Lina magically prepared each day of the journey.

Since the climate was, not surprisingly, hot and dry during the day, the caravan traveled primarily by night, making camp and resting during the hottest parts of the day. Lina put the time to good use. Part of her share of the booty the party had recovered so far was a manual of bodily health. She found sufficient time for study during the journey to complete the course of training set out in the manual, and found that her constitution increased significantly as a result.

After twenty days, the caravan reached the small oasis (named Afar by the local inhabitants). They made camp on the edge of the oasis, and later conferred with local elders to obtain information on conditions along the route to Uf, as well as other information of interest. The locals were very happy to greet the caravan, which was the first to arrive from the northeast since the closure of the route over the Sulhaut Mountains by the deathdrinker. The merchants with the caravan made various deals with the inhabitants to the mutual satisfaction of both all parties.

Next evening, the party departed Afar. Thirty long, hot, but relatively uneventful days later, they reached a region where the desert sands began to yield to scrub vegetation and scattered trees, through which a dusty path began to lead. "We’ve arrived," said the lead merchant of the caravan. He pointed ahead. The party could see isolated huts, which soon were replaced by lone homes, then small groups of homes and other structures on either side of the path. At last, the path became a wider and more compacted road, ending in a large central square in the midst of a sizable desert community. Date palms and other trees grew thickly, and a large spring supported a thick growth of reeds and aquatic vegetation. The central square was filled with locals and, apparently, other traders who had reached Uf from points to the west and south.

"Well, now that we’re here, where do we go?" Lina inquired. The merchants were familiar with the town, having made numerous journeys there and back over the years. "Our favorite trading post here in Uf is called The Sleepy Camel," the lead merchant replied. "They’re hard bargainers, but they always are well-stocked with exotic items that fetch high prices back home. And they’re very well-informed about the area and its history."

"The Sleepy Camel it is, then," agreed Edward. The caravan quickly found a camp for their wagons and animals, and then headed into town.

The Sleepy Camel was a large shop prominently located at the west side of the main city square. The merchants led the adventurers to the trading post, which was filled with exotic goods of all sorts, and was busy with trading activity. The lead merchant spotted one of the shop’s dealers. "There’s Ahab!" he reported to the group. "Deals in artefacts. Known him for years." He headed toward the man, leading the rest of the group. "Heya Ahab!" he called out. "Ah, Zeff, my friend!" Ahab replied. "You have come back! We were afraid something had happened. No one has come from Kanak has come in close to a year." Zeff took Ahab aside and told him of the recent events, heavily embellished with tales of his own valor. Green Arrow’s sharp ears picked up Zeff’s boasting. He turned to Edward and just rolled his eyes.

Zeff motioned for Lina to come over. "Tell Ahab about the death mask," he urged. Lina described her vision of the death mask to Ahab in full detail. "Ah, yes!" the dealer replied. "I am well acquainted with such things!" He went on to explain. "The ancients in Suel, long, long ago, before the Rain of Colorless Fire, used such masks. Other kingdoms too used them, in lands that bordered Suel or were influenced by that nation."

"Have you perhaps heard of a land known as "Khemri"?" Lina continued. "That name, along with others, was part of my vision."

Ahab thought for a while. "I know of no such land myself," he answered. "However, there is a region of the desert to the southwest of Uf. It is known as the land of Himm. Perhaps that is the place you seek, under a changed name." He went to a room behind his display area and returned with a sheet of parchment. "Here, let me draw you a map!" Quickly he sketched out a map of the Sea of Dust, indicating the Sulhaut Mountains to the north and the Hellfurnaces far to the east. Uf was located about five hundred miles from the western edge of the desert, which was bounded by another mountain range extending far to the northeast and beyond the junction it formed with the Sulhaut Mountains. About three hundred miles to the southwest of Uf, he marked an area and labeled it "Himm."

"The area of Himm is empty desert but for an ancient, weathered mound of stone. It seems to be the only remaining sign that people ever lived in Himm," Ahab added.

"Fascinating," observed Lina. "Could the names "Thutep" or "Neferata" be connected in some way with the land of Himm?"

"Perhaps they were," said Ahab. "The names of the ancient kings, however, are long forgotten for the most part. But," he continued, "it is said that many ages ago, a mighty godling ruled a lost kingdom. His name was "Su". Perhaps he was the same as the "Thutep" you name."

"How about Neferata?" Edward prodded.

"Again, that name is not known to me," answered Ahab. "But there are old tales of an ancient queen of great beauty, beloved of her people. She is known as "Ivrat". Perhaps that name derives from "Neferata". And perhaps," he pondered, "the mask you describe was a mask belonging to her?"

"You have been a great help," said Lina gratefully. "We are most appreciative. May your trading long be profitable!"

"Thank you, kind lady," Ahab replied. "And now, seeing that you are knowledgeable and appreciative of such things, perhaps I might interest you in a fine antiquity?"

Oh well, might as well cultivate this fellow, thought Lina. Might prove useful. And so, after a brief negotiation, Lina purchased a small item.

"Well, time to get going," said Green Arrow, nudging Lina. "My good Ahab, would you know of anyone else who might have information about the land of Himm?"

"You might try the antiquities dealer at The Dry Hole," said Ahab. He provided directions to the other trading establishment. "Give my best regards to Rukh, the proprietor!" The party thanked Ahab once again, and then took their leave of The Sleepy Camel. They returned to their camp for rest and relaxation, and further preparation for the next stage of the mission.

The next day the party spent in the town, the merchants conducting business, Lina shopping, Green Arrow and Edward interacting with the locals and gathering information and a feel for the area. After a restful night, the following morning the merchants announced that they were joining a large caravan heading southwest toward points beyond the desert. "I’m up for some trade, especially in exotic goods from far-away lands!" declared Zeff. "Mind if I join you?" asked Lina. "Wouldn’t mind doing some sight-seeing myself. Might pick up a few things here and there, not to mention a gold piece or two–thousand."

Green Arrow spoke up. "I think I will go along too," he said. "Somebody needs to keep Lina out of trouble," he added sarcastically. Lina sniffed. Zeff and the other merchants were agreeable to this suggestion, especially in view of Lina’s powerful casting abilities and Green Arrow’s prowess with the bow. "See you in, oh, a month or so!" said Zeff, and the traders and the two adventurers left to join with the caravan at the western outskirts of Uf, as it turned out quite close to the party’s own campsite.

Edward had decided to remain in Uf. After the others had left, he decided to try staying at a different inn, just for the sake of variety (and comparison). He ended up at a lodge called The Dusty Rug, a so-so establishment but one only one street west of Uf’s central square. As he approached the inn, he looked up at something that had drawn his attention, from the corner of his eye. Crows, flying overhead again.

What are crows doing in the middle of a desert? thought Edward to himself. This can’t be a coincidence. Spies, no doubt. But from whom?

Putting aside concerns about avian spies, Edward walked into The Dusty Rug. The inn hosted only a few scattered travelers, and the common room was mostly empty. He sought out the innkeeper, and, when he could speak privately, inquired about the local services. He had a particular service in mind.

"Tell me, good innkeeper," Edward began, "would you know of any healers here in Uf, in particular healers who might be interested in earning gold?"

The innkeeper’s ears pricked up at the mention of gold. "Do you know of sick people who are in need?" he asked in return. "Actually, I need a healer for my own travels," answered Edward. "I would be most appreciative of any assistance you could provide in this matter," he continued, in his most diplomatic and ingratiating manner.

The innkeeper smiled cheerfully. "I like you, Mister Paladin!" he said. "I may have just the man for you." Edward took out his money pouch and pulled out fifty gold pieces. "I would need his services for one to two weeks," he said, laying the gold on the table across from the innkeeper.

Smiling even more broadly, the innkeeper informed Edward, "I know of a traveling cleric who owes me a favor! I am sure I can get him to take employment with you!"

"Is he here in Uf?" asked the paladin.

"Yes, yes, he has recently arrived," replied the innkeeper. "He is a wanderer, you know. Cleric of Fharlangn, as you might guess. His name is Abelard. Highly experienced. I will arrange for you to meet him here tonight."

Edward thanked the innkeeper for his assistance and prepared to meet the cleric later that night. At the specified time, the paladin returned to the inn’s common room, and found waiting for him there the innkeeper and Abelard. The innkeeper introduced the two, then left them to conduct their business. The two soon reached an agreement whereby Abelard would serve as Edward’s healer as needed for two weeks, with Edward donating two thousand gold pieces to Abelard’s church.

Abelard and Edward then went to their respective rooms to retire for the night.

Suddenly, Edward woke up. A woman’s scream, suddenly cut off. He looked out the window of his room, in the southeast corner of the second floor of the inn. He spotted a woman being dragged away into a dark alley by a cloaked figure!

Immediately, the paladin quaffed a potion of enlarge, then teleported to the spot he has seen the cloaked figure drag the woman away. He called out, "Are you in need?" He heard another muffled scream, then something dropping to the ground. It was very dark.

Edward ran to the alley. He spotted a face-down figure at the far end of the alley, barely visible in the darkness. Nobody else was visible. Quickly he cast daylight, illuminating the end of the alley, but saw only the woman. Rushing up to her, the paladin checked for signs of life. The woman was unconscious.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a tall, dark, cloaked figure appeared in the shadows behind Edward. The paladin was caught flat-footed! The attacker’s dagger struck Edward in the back. He gasped as the mysterious assailant drew streams of blood. He felt his very life essence under attack from the blade, but his scarab was able to block the life energy loss. But the attacker struck again, landing four more hits on the hapless paladin for severe damage, as well as a life energy loss that exceeded his scarab’s capacity to block.

Edward staggered to the fallen woman, took her up in his arms, and teleported from the alley back into his room, desperately trying to escape from the would-be assassin. Back in his room, he looked around. It appeared that nothing had followed him. Without lighting any lamp, Edward cast restoration on himself, then healed the damage done to himself by the attacker. He dismissed the enlarge spell.

The woman stirred. Edward promptly cast cure light wounds on her. When she was fully awake, Edward spoke to her. He learned that she was simply a local woman. He surmised that she had been seized as some kind of bait by the assassin (or assassins) whose real target was himself.

"Good woman," said Edward, "go to the innkeeper. Ask him to summon Abelard. This is urgent!" The woman thanked Edward for saving her, and rushed off to the innkeeper as Edward had requested.

Shortly the innkeeper arrived. "What has happened?" he asked, alarmed. Edward briefly recounted the recent events. "There’s an assassin on the loose in Uf. Don’t tell any of the guests! But tell Abelard he will face a foe capable of energy drain!"

While he waited for Abelard’s arrival, Edward left the inn again to look around the area. He spelled up defensively, and used his gem of true seeing. Nothing was there to be seen.

Abelard arrived at the inn. Edward called to him softly, and the cleric joined him in the darkened street. "An assassin may be near," Edward advised the cleric. "Following me. I’ll need a death ward spell when mine runs out."

"I must pray for that spell," Abelard replied.

"If you have any restoration spells, ready them now," Edward continued, "then stand back-to-back with me." Abelard did as instructed. The two waited for twenty minutes, but nothing happened. The assassin, or assassins, had apparently left the area.

Edward signaled to Abelard to return to The Dusty Rug. Once inside, he suggested they both occupy the same quarters. Abelard was agreeable to this, and took the first watch. After four hours, Edward relieved him. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred.

Next day, Edward and Abelard discussed recent events and Abelard’s role. "Do you come to Uf often?" the paladin asked. "I have been here from time to time, on my travels," replied Abelard. "The Lord Fharnaghn encourages his disciples to see the world, and this is certainly a more out-of-the-way part of the world. Which is why I like it," he added.

"Are there any good magic shops here that you can recommend?" Edward followed up.

"None that deal in the really high-end magic items," the cleric replied. "Mostly in the 10,000 gp range at best."

"I see," said Edward. "In that case, let’s make a trip to Greyhawk!"

"A bit far from here, isn’t it?"

"Not if you can teleport," answered Edward. He extended his hand. "Ready?"

Abelard grasped Edward’s outstretched glove, and suddenly the two were in Greyhawk, near one of Edward’s favorite local magic shops. Edward walked in, greeted the proprietor, and asked for two new scarabs of protection. "Ah, my friend!" the dealer exclaimed, "there has been a run on scarabs lately. Increased activity by vampires and the like." He went into the back room of his shop, then returned with a small case. "But for you, I just happen to have the last two scarabs in all of Greyhawk!" He opened the box and showed Edward the two new scarabs within. "And a bargain at only 51,000 gold pieces each!"

Edward tried to hide his distress at the price, which was fifty percent more than the standard price for the items. There must really be something abnormal going on in Greyhawk, he thought. "Is that the best you can do, for a loyal customer?" Edward inquired. "Ah, my friend, that is already lower than the price these items commanded just yesterday, with my customer loyalty discount included!" the dealer answered.

"Very well," said Edward. He retrieved a pouch containing platinum pieces and gems, and handed over the the dealer the equivalent of 102,000 gold pieces. "Thank you, thank you, my good paladin!" the dealer fulsomely replied. Edward took possession of the scarabs, bade good-bye to the dealer, and left with Abelard. He donned one of the scarabs, holding the other in reserve in his pack.

The paladin teleported himself and the cleric back to Uf. It was now late in the day, and they returned to The Dusty Rug for dinner. Afterwards, they left the inn and began to walk around the nearby streets. Abelard was well prepared with restorative magic. As they headed back to the dark alley where the woman had been assaulted, the two men both cast daylight on their weapons. Dusk fell.

They entered the alley. Edward requested a death ward spell from Abelard, who duly complied.

As the cleric cast the spell, from out of the shadows behind them the tall, dark, cloaked figure appeared. Edward was again caught flat-footed! The assailant’s dagger found its mark again, and again Edward was saved from energy drain thanks to his magical protection. The assassin ground its teeth, but otherwise was expressionless–literally, for the being lacked eyes. It didn’t seem to need them, however, as it landed four more blows against Edward, wounding him severely, and with its off-hand slashed Abelard and would have drained him of energy but for the cleric’s own protective scarab.

The assassin was over-confident of its abilities, and Edward took full advantage of that overconfidence. A short step brought Edward face-to-face (such as it was) with the assassin. The being seemed familiar somehow, but Edward couldn’t quite place where he might have seen such a creature before. No matter. Edward invoked the holy might of Hieroneous against the clearly evil being, and with two mighty blows of his greatsword, brought the assassin down.

Seeing the extent of Edward’s wounds, the cleric promptly healed him. Edward promptly seized the body of the assassin, stuffed into his portable hole, and, turning to Abelard, said, "Let’s get out of here and figure out who this was. Do you know a safe place? The Dusty Rug may no longer be much of a refuge."

"There is a place on the other side of the central square," said Abelard. "A shabby inn, called The Desert Wind. I know the innkeeper, and the bouncer." He gave Edward a description of the area sufficient to enable teleportation to the vicinity.

At The Desert Wind, Abelard spoke to the innkeeper. "We need a "special" room," he said. The "special" room was available, and the two men took it. Once inside, they secured the doors. Edward then pulled the body out of the portable hole, and they examined it. On the body, they found two daggers, and also a pouch. Edward opened the pouch. Inside there appeared to be some kind of medallion. He didn’t touch it.

The paladin turned to Abelard. "This requires consultation with experts. Come with me?" The cleric agreed, and again, the two teleported back to Greyhawk. This time, their destination was a tavern marked with the sign of the spider-eater. Edward quickly located the Enterprise agent stationed at the tavern and gave the proper recognition signal.

"Have to confer now," Edward told the cleric. He signaled to the nearest barmaid, who promptly attended. "Set up my friend here with food and drink," Edward requested, then whispered, "and send over some companionship too." He winked. The barmaid nodded and went about doing so.

Meanwhile, Edward followed the Enterprise agent, a half-elf named Cedric, into a secure private room. He told the agent all about the encounter with the mysterious assassin. He produced the body, and the daggers and pouch, from the portable hole. The agent, however, was unfamiliar with the being. "I’ll have to kick this one up the chain of command," said the agent. "I’m being hunted!" exclaimed Edward. "I need to know more, and soon!" He pointed to the daggers and the pouch. "Can you at least identify any of this?"

The agent glanced at the treasures. "I’m not a wizard," he said. "I’ll need to bring in an expert." With that, he teleported out of the room.

Edward sat tapping the table for the next half hour, until Cedric finally returned. He was accompanied by another Enterprise agent. "Edward, meet Gelasius," said Cedric. "High-level wizard. Good at identifying things." Gelasius nodded to Edward, who again produced the body and the items recovered on it from the portable hole. Immediately, Gelasius recognized what had been stalking Edward. "This is a gloom," he said. "Specialist assassin. Very dangerous." With that, Edward finally remembered where he had seen such a creature before: during the battle of Chalons.

Gelasius picked up the first dagger and examined it. "As I suspected," he said. "This is an enhanced weapon that also drains multiple life energy levels from its victims with each hit. It’s similar to the weapon known as a "souldrinker". Very valuable too." He put the first dagger down, then picked up the second one. "This one is also dangerous, but less so," Gelasius announced. "An enhanced keen dagger."

Finally, the wizard retrieved the medallion from the pouch and examined it. After a short time, he reported, "This medallion has an antipathy spell on it. It’s keyed specifically to you, Edward!"