Episode 2: Belly Dancing Damsels in Distress

Images of Deraxle appeared before Cesar & Janissa at the treehouse retreat, in the cave where Trini, Jasmine, and Sakura were resting, and in the part of the Demon Realms, where Cat & Valnora were sleeping after another round of lovemaking.

"Comrades," Deraxle's spiritual image spoke to them, "we have a new, lucrative contract offer, from Sheba."

(Later that day, in the guildhouse.)

Janissa holds up a parchment with the authentic seal of the Desert Kingdom of Sheba, then speaks on the details of the offer sheet that is in her hand.

"This is the one came from Sheba. The sultan reported that one of his caravans was intercepted and sacked by a group of Prydaen Pirates. All of the fighting men were reportedly killed, and all of the valuables, including a group of belly dancing harem slaves, were captured." Janissa looks to the rest of the guild, as all of them listened in carefully.

"Prydaen Pirates, hmm?" Sakura thinks about it as her cat ears fluff some. "I hear the cat-like beings can move pretty fast over the desert sand. Even if they had left any survivors, they would be able to move pretty fast over the desert--sometimes as fast as 200 clicks in a day without stopping for water."

"And they also have quite an air **** of floating airships to aid in their fast movements." Deraxle adds in. "There's been rumors that they've formed an alliance with some Dark Dwarves to build some siege machines to harass the Sheban Armies, if not siege their cities."

Cesar nods. "Yes, fast movers, indeed. If they left no survivors, then there isn't much we can use at this time to pinpoint their location." He pauses for a sip of water from a wooden mug. "Getting any leads would be nearly impossible, especially since the attack was deep in the middle of a depression of sand dunes. We could station ourselves inside of Sheba, help the kingdom with anything that we can do, and see if any word comes of the sighting of either the captured dancers, or the valuables they captured."

"It's a longshot, but it's manageable." Janissa smiles. "I haven't been to Sheba in a few years. I know some friends there that could aid us in finding these kidnapped dancers."

"Sounds like a good plan." Cesar smiles, and looks to the rest of the guild. "Any questions?"

"Well," Sakura looks to the two co-leaders, "I have news of a caravan from the Dragon Continent that is on its trade route to Sheba, carrying the latest cargo of silk, gunpowder, and grains of rice. We could start by escorting them to Sheba, give them some extra protection along the way. If we're lucky, we may be able to repel any Prydaen Pirate attacks, see if we can get any leads from them that would lead us to the captured dancers, or the valuables, or both."

"That sounds like a good plan." Cat nods with a smile. "I may not be very useful out in the open desert, but I am adept with my crossbow, so I can snipe any Prydaen Pirate that comes close."

"I could also masquerade as a traveling belly dancer." Valnora added in. "It'll have to be a new body, of course, but I can make it work. I could sneak around the palace grounds, and the city streets, see if there any inside ties to these particular attacks."

"There is a shrine in Sheba, that pays homage to the dragon gods." Sashya spoke next. "I can station myself there, if we're not hot on the pirates' trail, or doing escort work."

"All that is nice," Jasmine spoke afterwards, "but isn't Sheba thousands of clicks from here? As you all know, I'm new to adventuring, so I do not know how we will travel there."

"By airship, Jasmine." Janissa responded to Jasmine's inquiry. "We will not draw too much attention that way, unless the pirates attack from the air. Desert airships tend to be the fastest and most durable of their kind. They have to be, because of the vastness of the Great Desert, and the need for stops at oasis outposts for water and other provisions. They can also elevate to high altitudes, for evading sandstorms."

Cesar nods. "With our transportation method out of the way, we can either head directly to Sheba, or take up Sakura's suggestion, and escort the Oriental caravan to the city. Either decision appears fine with me. What do you think Janissa."

"I couldn't agree more." Janissa smiles. "Let's take a vote. Shall we go straight to the city? Or go to the caravan?"