Tempers Ball

A black, silk scarf concealed her raven hair while her wrap clung to her olive tone like a second skin. It hid much in the ways of old, when women were not allowed to show their face to any but their husband. She never married though and had considered it before the siege of the city. It was then and there, that the blacked blade of the Sword of Osiris cursed her. Cursed to a life with no end until she passed the curse on to another to break it.

The sword, as she remembered had an ornate, golden handle, a blade as black as death. The blade itself with a double curve It was a treasure to any who could wield it. However, only ifyou were damned by it before could you wield it. The last known owner of the sword was long dead and it was thought to be in hands of thieves. At least she had gotten that much from what those translations read.

Her desire to lift the curse upon her was now evident to no end. Perhaps if she thirst no more and hungered with death in the end would she have some peace. She knew she could not set out on this task alone, but it was her task all the same. She did not need another set to destroy the only blade that could save her, since for a change she wanted to be saved.

She lay in her tent a distance from the nearby Temple of Osiris. The very one ruined when many tried to wipe out his existence, only to have his faithful wife, Isis, searching for a way to bring him back once she recovered all of his body.

She lay awake as those who served the temple slept. She did not want to sleep again, with a blade drawn to her heart. Her search was beginning, but she truly did not know where these thieves would lie. The danger in this task was not minimal, but she called on new acquaintances to help her. Fellow members of Sekhet Aaru might lead her to the right place. Though she did not expect those higher in the cast to respond to her request for help in her quest.

A gentle knock broke the silence of the room. Looking up from his work, Dakarai saw a small figure nervously standing outside the archway. The girl trembled as she fumbled with the piece of parchment she held in her hand. Her eyes darted around the room then rested on him. She stared at him for a moment and then realized he was watching her. Quickly her eyes filled with fear and her gaze feel to the floor. Dakarai watched her with amusement. It was not long ago that the servants in his household had not been so afraid of him. But after what happened to his father, it seemed that now he was the one to fear. Funny how he had not changed as a person but because he was now the leader of his house, how people treated him had greatly changed.

Sighing he cast a reassuring smile to the girl. "Yes? What is it?" he said genially, eyeing the girl up. Not bad looking really, he thought. Long dark hair, deep dark eyes, in fact she could even have been called beautiful. But there was something else there. A scar, not on the skin, but on her soul. One that had not yet healed. He wondered what could have happened to such a girl to leave such a lasting impression.

"M'lord, a message has just arrived for you. The messenger said that it was only for you to read and no one else, so I brought it right up to you." Quickly she set the letter in front of him and darted back to the doorway.

The letter said on the front in small slanted script, "To Dakarai of the House of Osahar." He broke the seal and silently read. His face changed from a look of amusement to one quite serious. He read the letter twice over. "The help of you my lord would be greatly appreciated in this quest." Words that reverberated trhough his mind. He sat there, thinking it over for what seemed like an endless time. He looked up to the girl again. "What is your name?"

Nervously she answered "Ahmose, m'lord, it's Ahmose."

"Ahmose," he started,"it seems that a friend of the Aaru needs some help from the house of Osahar. As right now I have already been summoned to do my duty in other places and in other ways, I have decided to send another to help instead. Tomorrow morning you are to report to the Temple of Osiris. There is a lady there called Adriana. You are to offer her your services until the desired task is performed." He looked away, a pained expression on his face. "I am sorry that I have to ask you to perform such a deed, but I can assure you you will be greatly compensated." Gazing throughtfully into her eyes he asked her. "What is it that you most desire?"

For a moment the nervous girl vanished as a wonderful thought came to mind. Smiling she looked at Dakarai. "M'lord, I have been a servant in your house for many years now. It is my wish to be let free of my servitude so that I might find my mother and sister, if they are even still alive."

He looked at her. Slowly he answered ".......Yes, yes that will be fine. Finish this task and you will be a free woman."

"Thank you M'lord! I will not let you down, no not I! I shall help in anyways possible!" she cried bursting with joy and hope.

"I'm sure you will, I'm sure you will"

She watched the sun rise over the temple and hoped that her requests for help would be well meet. Though she did not know how many would come themselves, as they were sure to have other duties. She looked to her still full waterbag and closed her eyes. This was one of many sunsets and she knew of only one place that thieves congrigated, one of many taverns in the heart of the desert. Though this also required much effert to find where hid their treasures. Though even a Prince of Thieves would not willing give up the Sword of Osiris. She just hoped that she was not the only one dealing with the curse.

She stepped out of her tent and looked toward the temple. The head priestess and priest of the temple knew of her quest. She had spoken with them the previous day. That was where she recieved the information she allready had. Those at the temple were willing to help out any treasure seeker return something as precious as the sword to them. Any who asked for her would learn of the tent she had set, she just hoped that they knew what they were getting themselves into. It was a fool's quest in truth, but she would be foolish to not want to get her life back.

She rose early that morning, unable to sleep any longer. Last night something had happened that even in her wildest dreams she would not have imagined. An offer of freedom. She had ran the whole way back to her quarters, anxious to tell the others what had happened. She had slept quite fitfully, waking up often in hopes that it was daybreak and she could leave this place. Finally it was here. Before the sun had even peaked up over the horizon she was already preparing for the journey ahead of her.

Quietly she slipped out of bed pulling the rough woolen blanket to the side. Quickly she changed into the only other clothes she owned. The warm fabric felt good as it slid over her. She had been forced to wear an ugly and itchy servants uniform for so long that she had almost forgotten what the smooth cotton fabric of her youth even felt like anymore. She had saved every penny she ever earned and was finally able to buy this dress for herself. Although it was really just a simple white dress, it fell gracefully off the shoulders showing her long neck, and had a fine leather belt that tied nicely around her waist. Smiling to herself she picked up her few personnel belongings and put them in a small sac.

"Ahmose?" said a small voice from behind her.

She turned around to see that her friend Manara had awoken from her slumber. In her hands she held a leather waterbag and a loaf of bread.

"Manara, what are you doing up?" she whispered.

The girl looked to her feet, tears slowly sliding down her face. "I couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye. We have been friends for so long, I didn't think we would ever be parted. And now here I am today, saying goodbye to the best friend I ever had." The girl sniffed and wiped the tears away from her eyes.

Ahmose moved towards her and held her friend against her. "Don't cry dear. I will be back someday. Maybe I will then be able to buy you out of this hole, and we both can live free."

Manara laughed, a smile brought to her sad face. "I know you will try." she said softly. She took a step back and held out her hands. "Here, I want you to have these. It isn't much, but I hope it will help you on your journey."

"Thank you so much. You have been the greatest friend. I hope that I can one day retrun this favor." She turned and saw that the sun was now almost risen. "I am sorry, but I have to go." she said sullenly.

Tears in her eyes, Manara replied, "I know, goodluck." The girls embraced one last time.

Ahmose put the items in her bag and slowly made her way towards the door, stricken at the moment with sadness and fear that she would never see her friend again. But now was not the time to think like that. She had to finish this quest, now more than ever. Holding her head up high, she walked through the entry way and started down the street. Everywhere around her life was going on as normal. Merchants were selling their goods, rich women were buying expensive cloth and jewelry, maids were scurrying about buying food for their masters meal, children were playing in the street. And yet everything seemed so much more wonderful. The air smelled sweet and clean, the antics around her were funny, not annoying, the buildings were beautiful, everything.

She made her way down the road and soon saw the Temple of Osiris in front of her. Outside the temple entrace was a woman dressed as a preistess.

"Excuse me m'lady," Ahmose said to her, "my master sent me here to report to the Lady Adriana. Might you know where I could find her?"

"Yes," the woman replied. "There is a tent off to the east of the temple. You should be able to find her there."

"Thank you very much." she replied and headed off in the direction of the tent. Soon she saw it and the woman who must be Adriana. Cautiously she approached.

"Excuse me, might you be the Lady Adriana?"

She saw her as she approached. A slight smile formed on her lips. She just hoped she knew what she was getting herself into.

"Excuse me, might you be the Lady Adriana?"
Her smile then faded, st last she wasn't alone anymore.

I am she. Those please just call me Adriana. I've never been one for titles.

She looked inside her tent for a moment, realizing how illsuited it was for anyone requiring food or water. She had all the water she would need from a water bottle that refilled automatically from the last place it had been filled.

She had enough gold to secure food for each leg of hte journey once they reached the towns and the temple provided anything she asked for. Espically since she was expected to return the sword once she found it.

She turned to the girl with a soft smile.

What is your name?

She didn't wait for a reply as she continued.

I supose that your master did not tell you what this quest was for. I'm searching for the Sword of Osiris. It's in the hands of thieves according the last information I recieved, and the worst of them to top. I'll have to find you something at the next down once we depart. I'm waiting for more replies before setting off. This is a journey best taken in a larger group than two. It will not be an easy task finding where the sword is being kept in any case, though I know who I need to ask. The man considered to be Prince of Thieves, it's a few days journey to find him.

The thing avoided cities for the most part.

Or perhaps they avoided it.

When thier fates did cross, those with common sense left it alone and removed obstructions from its path, hoping its meandering path would not take it up against something that could not be moved, and thus bring the flames that where rumored to accompany it. Those wiser, however, paced along near it, always carfull to avoid its path, but sure to reamin close enough to hear the random mumblings, in a half hundred different tounges, and occasionally, to ask questions of it. For it was whispered that it knew things, and that if one asked in the right way, in the right tounges and at the right time, that this lonley accursed thing would prophesy even the most hidden truths. Many had already learned the location of lost loved ones, missing relatives or vast forgotten treasures. Many others had died burning, consumed at its slightest touch.

City guards, informed by thier commanders, kept the common folk back, and the laneways clear. With any luck, this wandering menace woul dapss on, and no one would be harmed. With ill luck, the city itself was threatened.

It was a matter of time before one would come to the wandering madman prophet to whisper to it in forgotten tounges, hoping to win a fortune or discover that long lost or . . . stolen. Who would be next to tempt fate.


(ooc) to learn more, go read the Prophecies.http://www.evernight.com/boards/canon/viewtopic.php?t=21387(/ooc)

She sat at the table sipping her drink, bored as she perpetually seemed to be these days. Eei! The days went so slow and she had nothing to do. Since returning home from her last journey all she had been allowed to do was go to party after party, one meaningless dinner after another surrounded by people who spoke like they knew something of the world but really have never went farther than the edges of this kingdom. Pitiful really, that people could lead such an existance when she herself knew first hand of the wonders that this world could hold! The places she has yet to travel to! And the treasures she has yet to find! And here she was, stuck here for another boring night with with her family, trying to act the good hostess and hating every minute of it. It was definietly time to get moving.

She pretended to listen to the gentleman seated next to her. Poor thing, he was trying really hard to impress her. Kind of cute, in his own way. She smiled and nodded, adding the appropriate laugh or comment when needed. "..., and word has it .......strange woman......the Sword of Osiris......" Quickly she snapped back to attention. "What was that you said?" she said, smiling sweetly.

Grinning stupidly, seeing that he finally had her attention the man said, "Ah, so you are interested in the Sword yes?"

"Well," she started, "I have heard many stories and rumors about it. Nightmarish stories really, the kind that children use to scare themselves silly. Are the stories about it true then? There really is such a sword?"

"Why yes, of course," he beamed. "A woman called Adriana has sent out a request among the heads of the houses of the Aaru for brave souls to help her on a journey to recover it. I am surprised that you have not heard this. Surely your family has recieved such a proposal?"

Yes, she mused, I suppose we have. Funny how such things never seem to reach her ears. Well, they can't keep her here forever, and this could be great fun. "Father must have forgotten to mention it to me. He is very busy these days." she replied, her voice dripping with kindness. Batting her eyes she asked, "I don't suppose you know where Adriana is staying do you? I would very much like to meet such a brave woman."

"I hear she has set up tent by the Temple of Osiris. Maybe you could find her there."

"Thank you," she said rising to her feet. "You have been a great help. I am sure I will be seeing you again soon." And with that, she left, leaving the poor fool looking after her with confusion.

She quietly slipped out of the hall, being careful not to let anyone see her. She quickly changed clothes and grabbed a bag she kept anyways ready with the few necessities she would need. She left a note explaining where she was going, and slipped down the stairs and out to the stables. There she saddled her favorite horse, Pasha, a small bay mare, and soon they were gone. Down the streets they flew, past the markets, the river, the homes, to the temple of Osiris. In the distance she saw a tent with two women standing outside. She rode up to them and dismounted.

"You must be Adriana. My name is Noirea and I'm here because I have heard of your request. I wish to help you."

She noticed the new arrival as she approached from the temple. She smiled softly. At least she was getting something more of help.

As the woman adressed her she offered a soft smile to her.

I am Adriana. I do appriciate the help. At least some people are willing to take on a little danger. Heaven knows that it's what it will take to get my life back.Anyway, what is your name?

From what she could tell it was obvious that she came of her own will. At least she knew something of what she was getting into. She had yet to fully explain her reasoning for wanting to find the sword, though once everyone was assembled she would explain before setting to the nearest city. She was glad that she allready had a plan in how to find the hiding place. She would have to ask the Prince of Thieves himself, when a truth syrum was in his system. Though she didn't neet to explain that much yet. The priestess of the Temple of Osiris was very willing to offer anything to help this unexpected fortune hunter. Though for her to be called brave would be a suprise. Anyone would risk their life just to get it back to what it used to be.