Nathan’s Diary part 9: The Fae Summit

In The Doom that Came to Amber

21^st Bull 3658

I am in Cordoba. Khitan has suggested that he create some crystal balls which could be sent with the merchant caravans. When taken by the Sand Devils he could perform a magical ritual to scry their location.

It is believed that when merchant ships are raided some goods are kept and others are traded in markets in the Sea of Sands. The location of these markets would have to change with the shifting of the Sands. I presume that the Sand Devils must be trading some of their captured goods with people outside the Sea of Sands, most likely in Cordoba or Hydraghat.

I wonder if anyone has struck a deal giving information to the Sand Devils in return for not being raided. I need a good map so I might be able to use the Pattern to locate these people. I have heard of hidden underground lakes in the Sea of Sands, the map in combination with the Pattern might be used to find these. The only downside is that in order to use the maps I’d have to travel through the Sea of Sands.

It is decided that the crystals be sent to Asmark at the OOoGC, so the merchants do not suspect their nature. Khitan tried to pass on the crystals to a merchant but he used a magical ring to detect that they were magical and named a huge sum for their transport.

Khitan and I go to the mosque and see the Caliph and his sons but not Ibrahim. This is a shame since I had intended on getting revenge on Ibrahim for nearly hitting me with his chariot on my arrival.

I get a meeting with the Caliph. I remark on Ibrahim’s absence and am told that he has been sent away. He is described as being an excellent chariot driver and warlike, but it was decided to send him away after he nearly ran over some people. My revenge will have to wait it seems.

The Caliph thanks Khitan for helping me and says that I require some subtle sorcerous support.

After the meeting Khitan and I discuss how we can send the scrying crystals. Khitan leaves me in the rented rooms. Later a boy knocks on my door saying there is messenger for me. The boy's face is pale. Expecting trouble I bring the Pattern to mind and go to see my guest.

He is wearing a cowled cloak and has a strange guttural, almost inhuman voice. Through Pattern sight he seems fairly real. He says that Khitan sent him to help deliver the goods to the merchant. He asks for some money which I drop into his webbed hand, not wanting to touch it. He says it’s best to perform his errand under cover of darkness and leaves.

His presence was most disturbing. I wonder what the merchant will think. Deciding that some money may be useful I wander around my room using the Pattern to affect probability. An hour later I find a bag of gold underneath a loose floorboard under the bed.