Session Ninety-One: A Noble's Love

The group asked the guards if they could buy supplies in the client village. The guards told them that a larger client village, a few miles north, would be better. The guards made a few comments about the group dying in the mountains, but the group ignored them.
The group hiked a few miles north and found another small village. There was obvious mining taking place. Samsun was spotted and called out by the guards. They called out that he's a criminal and will be detained. Kraah intercepted the guards and bribed them, to pretend like they never saw Samsun.
The group moved away from the village and Cheet used her magic to turn Samsun invisible. Then, the group returned to the village, telling the guards that he went west. The group entered the village and went straight for the village's small trading post. They purchased climbing gear and rations. However, their request of half-giant climbing gear would necessitate a three hour wait, as they fashioned such a large harness.
When they left the trading post, a noble approached them and began asking questions about Samsun. Dimitria, being unable to lie, told him that he magically disappeared. The noble stated that sorcery would be added to his list of crimes. The noble then asked Dimitria to join him for a meal. Dimitria would agree, but only if her friends could join them. The noble agreed and asked her to meet him in front of the alehouse in two hours.

For the next two hours, Raco practiced his martial arts outside of the village, but returned when he saw a scorpion. Kraah left the village, to collect cooking and healing herbs. Dimitria and Yusef took naps and Cheet turned invisible. While invisible, she walked into Tyr's fields and cast spells to help them thrive.
Upon meeting the noble at the alehouse, he introduced himself as Ali Bishara and Dimitria introduced herself.  He had an entourage with him, but did not share any of their names. Dimitria introduced her friends and Ali gave them a half hearted greeting. It was obvious that Ali was awestruck by Dimitria's beauty.
Ali lead the group to a canopy, where a nice table was setup for he and Dimitria. There was another table setup for servants and the rest of the group. Dimitria and Ali had roast erdlu, honey mead, and finely textured wheat bread. The rest of the group had farro bread, mekillot meat, and water. No one complained about the free meal, but Samsun did hope that Dimitria would pocket some of her meal for him. She did not, but Raco and Yusef did.

While Ali and Dimitria ate, they discussed various topics. Dimitria was completely honest and straightforward. Ali was amazed by her frankness and became more infatuated with her. Their conversation eventually moved to slavery, which Dimitria believed was wrong, but Ali did not understand why. He justified that nobles were smarter, and better, people. If enslaved people were set free, they would have a difficult time making decisions for themselves, he reasoned. Dimitria was appalled and told him so.
To prove his point, he gave Dimitria a slave woman, Ferwa, and doubted that she could accomplish anything on her own. Dimitria immediately set her free and gave her ten ceramic pieces to start a new life. Dimitria then gave Ferwa some advice on how to find work and live a frugal life. Ferwa was extremely grateful and quickly departed for Tyr, after getting proof of her freedom.
Ali was amazed at Dimitria's generosity and invited the whole group to stay at his villa. They accepted. He then offered to show Dimitria around the village, while he oversaw his families operations. She agreed and they walked off together, arm in arm. Samsun, still being invisible, followed them.
Raco returned to practicing his martial arts skills. Yusef sat in the shade and watched him. Kraah took the time to preach a sermon, on the glories of the element of air, to Ali's servants. Cheet went to the quarry and carefully removed any plants that were in danger of being damaged, by the open pit mining.
Night fell and they all returned to the Bishara estate. They had a light dinner of bread and vegetable stew. Dimitria was given a private room with a servant girl, Dimitria sent the servant girl away, and the rest of the group was invited to sleep with the rest of the servants, in a bunkhouse. Samsun slept in the stables, where he found an empty stall.
Once everyone was asleep, Raco and Yusef got out of bed. Yusef quietly opened the door, which lead to the main house. There were two guards patrolling the front of the house. Yusef tried to sneak out, but was spotted by one of the guards. Yusef said he was looking for some water and the privy. The guard believed him and had a servant bring him some water. He then showed him the way to the privy.

Raco used the distraction to sneak out himself. He used the way to turn into a shadow and blend in with the darkness. He then went inside the villa and snooped around. He ended up stealing a large, silver bowl and returned to bed.

Day 1, Week 1, Dessalia, Friend's Vengeance, 190th King's Age, Sun Descending

In the morning, they ate a light breakfast of bread and kank honey. Dimitria was bathed by Ali's servants and given a new green gown. Kraah took the time to preach an additional sermon to Ali's servants. One of the servants, a slave named Shada, asked to follow Kraah and learn more about air. Kraah agreed to talk to Ali.

Ali tried to talk Dimitria out of leaving, he told her that he was smitten with her and wanted her to stay with him. Dimitria declined his offer, but said she would return to the village, once she was done with her business in the mountains. Ali hired two men to carry extra provisions for her and a guide for the mountains. Dimitria was thankful.

Kraah asked about Shada and Ali, still being in a love drunk stupor, agreed to free him, for Dimitria. Kraah thanked him and immediately took Shada to the trading post, to get him equipped for the journey. Kraah asked Shada if he had any skills and Shada told him that he could cook.
As they were getting ready to depart, a guard ran up to Ali and whispered in his ear. Ali turned to the group and told them that an ornate silver bowl had been stolen from him, either last night or this morning. He asked that everyone turn out their bags, except Dimitria. Everyone did as they were asked, but Raco refused
While Yusef's belongings were being searched, he ran up to Raco and tripped. He fell into Raco and stumbled to the ground. He then told Raco that it was okay for the guards to search his bag. Raco continued to refuse.
Guards surrounded Raco and Ali ordered his arrest. One of the guards grabbed Raco's shoulder and Raco quickly put the guard in an arm lock. Ali told everyone to stop. He turned to Dimitria and said that she was always welcome in the village, but Raco no longer was. She said she understood and promised to return the bowl, if Raco had stolen it. He said he didn't care about the bowl, but the disrespect that Raco showed, after Ali had showed him kindness, is what distressed him. Ali then wished her well and they kissed each other's cheeks.
The met their guide near the base of the mountain. His name was Fain and he did not expect them to survive in the mountains. However, he explained, he was being paid to lead them and so he would lead them. He turned, expecting the group to follow him, and began to ascend the mountain pass.

Join us soon for another exciting session of Adventures Under the Dark Sun. 
2nd edition AD&D Dark Sun Cast of Player Characters 
Dimitria: Human female druid. 20 years old. Played by Mary. Speaks Urikite, Raamin, and Tyrian.
Raco: Mul male psychometbolist. 20 years old. Played by Dave. Speaks Dwarf and Tyrian.
Samsun: Half-Giant water cleric/fighter. 37 years old. Played by Ben. Speaks Giant and Tyrian.
Kraah: Aarakocra air cleric.17 years old. Played by Chad. Speaks Aarakocra, Tyrian, Balician, and Gulgish.
Cheet: Human female preserver. 24 years old. Played by my wife. Speaks Drajish and Tyrian.
Yusef: Human male thief. 24 years old. NPC party member. Speaks Tyrian, Nibnese, and Urikite.