Shadows over Zul-Bazzir: Part One

Sefu’s caracvan proceeds through Kharjah Pass unmolested thanks to Ardashir’s diplomacy.
The Zadjite decides to spend some time among the mountain tribesmen to further foster
good relations and learn of local legends which may subsequently prove fruitful. His faithful
retainer, Lilith accompanies him. He asks Sinnis to release the Nabastissean mercenary El-
Zahir from his service for a while, promising to return with him once his business is
concluded. They will meet at Zul-Bazzir at the earliest convenience.

The long trek is unremarkable until a few days out from the Yirlat oasis, the company wakes
to the find the foully murdered corpse of Yetara (or so his garb suggests; hidden behind his
veiled howdah, the aloof, imperious ecclesiarch of Yot-Khamoth has no contact with the
caravan’s rank-and-file, spending his time only in the company of the Shoma Kefu, and the
equally-veiled and aloof, heavily pregnant temple “virgin” Daniya…). The caravan is in
turmoil at the prospect of an assassin in its midst. Sinnis examines the corpse (much to the
horror of some of the company, for touching a corpse is considered unclean among many
local cultures), and determines that Yetara was strangled, a common enough form of
assassination, suggesting his killer (or killers…) were able to get very, very close. He eyes the
Bhangarian pair of Barat and Sampati, henchmen of Danho, suspiciously. The Khadari
mercenaries of Yetara seem rattled by the events, but keep a low profile, furtively
whispering amongst themselves.

Sefu organises for the burial of the corpse and a marker is placed over the body, Yetara’s
camel is sacrificed to sate the hunger of Yadar, the Lord of Deaths and Secrets, and the
caravan continues towards the life-giving oasis of Yirlat. Only Danho’s soothing dulcimer
tunes buoys the morale to make the journey bearable.

Sinnis is convinced the assassin(s) will double back to the grave to take the head of Yetara
and collect the bounty for his death, and is perplexed when no one does so, unable to
understand the concept of assassination as anything other than a mercenary endeavour…

A day or two out of the oasis, the party is beset by wolves of the desert, Khazraj raiders.
Thanks to the party’s vigilance and quick thinking, the attackers are repelled with only
minimal loss. Four riding camels, tack and bridle more than make up for the loss of a handful
of caravan cooks and handlers.

Some malady or other overcomes some of the company, most notably the Khadari
mercenaries, one of whom spends much time in the company of Sefu, arousing further
suspicions in Sinnis and Danho. Sinnis, the party’s cup-bearer since the nomad attack, makes
doubly sure to ensure the mercenary’s wine is well-spiced, but alas, the expertise of
Manishtusu, Danho’s personal physician, is proof against the party’s befouled food and
drink.

At the fringes of Yirlat the party is intercepted by the saffron-cloaked road watch, the
Astandes, who escort the caravan to the oasis, and from there accompany it to Zul-Bazzir.
Barat and Sampati take their leave of their employer Danho, who gifts them each with one
of the captured riding camels, and the pair heads out to Jhaddar, as planned, with the
fervent hope that they and their lord Danho are fated to meet again sometime soon.

Meanwhile, at Zul-Bazzir’s great square, open air trials are conducted. Among the
defendants is one Ismat Munir, convicted of eavesdropping and facing corporal
punishment. His stirringly eloquent defence sees the punishment commuted to a hefty fine,
and his appeals to the assembled gathering fall on one Mostar, an askar of Khazabad, here
on personal business, and in need of a local guide. Mostar pays Munir’s fine, putting the
latter in his debt, and Munir’s eagerness and enthusiasm takes Mostar (who is
unaccustomed to such ebullient displays) aback. Perhaps it is a provincial trait?

Mostar confides in Munir that he is investigating a matter on behalf of a lieutenant of the

Padishah himself, although he is not privy to the full extent of the details. Perhaps his role
here is to support, perhaps to distract. In any event, he is oath-bound to render whatever
assistance he may. Realising that Munir has no real affiliations in the city, Mostar confides in
him that there is a conspiracy afoot to overthrow the rule of Khadim-Bey, the Padishah’s
appointed governor and kinsman through marriage. The conspirators meet at the House of
the Dragon, the estate of a Taikangian scholar, Zheng-Ya, in the city’s Foreign District.
Reconnaissance of Zheng’s house has discovered the provisioning of food, drink, and
pleasure slaves, as if in readiness for the hosting of an important visitor.

Meanwhile, another name linked to the conspirators is one Abu-Khafi, proprietor of a

gambling den, hostel and bath house, and lotus trader. Munir himself was arrested there,
on overhearing a snippet of information to the effect that “…its sale should help finance our
endeavour..”

Mostar investigates, but partakes a little too heavily and his brain is too addled by the visit
to shed any further light on the connection at this time.

Munir, ever-watchful for interesting titbits, frequents the caravanserai daily; the arrival of
an unusually small caravan under astandes escort strikes him as odd. Approaching the
caravan master, Sefu, a cheerful Shoma warrior dressed in leopard-skin pelt, he is mistaken
for an envoy of Zhang-Ya’s, and offers to accompany his party thither.

Sinnis has taken the opportunity to slip away and meet with his contacts. He is asked about
the death mask he was sent to retrieve, but explains that while he knows where it is, he
does not yet possess it, much to his contact’s disappointment. Nevertheless, he is given a
new commission, of utmost urgency, which he cautiously accepts…