Chapter 5: And They Call it a Mine...
Viz Leany and High Tide arrived safely back in Rhakosis on the 21st of the 4th moon. Captain Ataullah promised to be in touch with Sitara when he had news from the Council of Captains. Making port, the crew dispersed into the city. Nanako took her leave to resume her search for what had become of Mahfuz.
Akash, finding Tabari at the Purple Lantern, was startled when his brother shot to his feet and asked if he was aware of what had happened with his business interests. Making all speed to his shop, Akash found a letter from his mine foreman on his desk, detailing a series of tunnel collapses at his mine and asking for his prayers for the workers killed and missing in the tunnels.
Akash rushed back to the ship to inform the Captain of his situation. Without hesitation, Sitara lent him her support, offering to transport anything needed to aid his mines. Thanking her, he left to see to supporting his mine.
...*...
Kasumi set about checking Akash's books to see what he could afford while Mesi kept an eye on his shop. He also called in favors from his connections, though they netted him less support than he was hoping. Late that night, upon returning to his shop, Mesi informed Akash that someone was watching his comings and goings. As they were wondering who could be behind it, there was a sharp rap at the door.
The young swordswoman from the Festival of High Sun stood at the door, flanked by the Minzokan man, and Akash invited them in. Taking a cursory glance about his shop, she approached Mesi, inviting her to a friendly match again if she wished, before suggesting to Akash that they speak privately.
Once in his study upstairs, Serrai dropped the bag rather unceremoniously upon the table. Not one to mince words, she cooly demanded to know why he would leave her a gift of sword oils, first aid supplies, and an offer of employment after decrying her during the festival. When Akash explained he truly wished to know her better, to understand her goals, she was skeptical, finding it difficult to trust one who would change his tune so abruptly. He proclaimed he saw great potential in her, though he worried she would waste it doing things like squandering her life on a silly competition, much to her amusement. Mesi, he said, yielded the contest because she knew to save herself for worthier battles, such as the liberation of the slaves from Al Qura's current regime. Akash then revealed he was a member of the Brotherhood of the Watching Eye, and he had hoped to recruit her talent to the organization.
While apparently familiar with them, Serrai seemed unimpressed, but Akash overlooked her rather palpable disdain and expounded on his hopes for the group. He desired to unite the disparate factions of the Brotherhood, though without the more unsavory elements— kidnappers, extortionists, murderers, and the like. When Serrai referred to his proposed plan as a culling, she was perplexed when he rejected out of hand the idea of such a violent solution. She heard out his vision of converting the brotherhood from a loose network into a strong, centralized organization. After conferring briefly with the Minzokan man in private, she agreed that they could indeed conduct business.
On their way out, Serrai seemed to take note of both Kasumi and Mesi. Approaching Mesi, she gave her a small slip with directions on how to reach her if she wished to take up her offer to spar. As she turned to leave, Serrai inquired whether their Captain was aware of their business, Akash waved a hand dismissively—of course the Captain knew of his profitable enterprise as a master jewelcrafter. In response to her quizzical look at the mound of paperwork before Kasumi, Akash briefly explained the recent situation at his mine. Realizing Akash was very much preoccupied with his own distractions, Serrai offered to procure muscle for his mine, for a fair commission.
...*...
The next morning at breakfast, Mesi found Sitara musing over her premonition about the Mon before their voyage to the maelstrom and whether it might be related to the collapses at Akash’s mine. Contemplating the implications of the collapses, they recounted various events which occurred around that time, and wondered if perhaps it had something to do with Akash and Kasumi’s sometimes enigmatic behavior.
Mesi confided in the Captain her suspicions, especially after the strange comments Serrai made while visiting Akash’s shop. Perplexed as to why either Akash or the young swordswoman would agree to a business partnership after what happened at the festival, they agreed that something was amiss. Sitara revealed that, after several suggestions and exchanges that had struck her odd, she had shadowed the pair to various business establishments in Rhakosis. Though she was uncertain how they were connected, she had observed what seemed to be coded exchanges and clandestine dealings. Though Sitara cautioned her, Mesi decided to take Serrai up on her offer to spar, hoping to learn more of the mysterious swordswoman and perhaps glean some more information about their companions.
The next day, Mesi went to the Swaying Serpent, as per Serrai’s instructions. When she attempted to leave word of her desired meeting time with the barkeep , he brusquely informed her she should try her luck at the signpost just south of the southern gates in four hours’ time. After finishing her drink, she went to Alim’s shipyard to inform Sitara of her meeting, before finding a tavern near the southern gate to bide her time.
Meanwhile, Sitara took her own path to the crossroads just south of Rhakosis to scout out the area ahead of time. Finding a well-concealed spot off the road, she waited. As the meeting time drew closer, she spied the swordswoman and her companion making their way from the southern gate, but saw no sign of anyone else. As she crept through the wilderness, she accidentally upset some rocks, and heard a strange call from nearby, which seemed to quicken the pair’s pace on the road. Realizing she had been spotted, Sitara came slowly out into the open.
An Ash-sh’b man stepped softly out from the scrub nearby, bow and arrow drawn. As she stepped into the road, he kept an eye and a bead on Sitara until Serrai and the Minzokan man approached, then disappeared stealthily into the brush once more. When questioned what she was doing there, the Captain answered honestly that she had come to ensure her crew member was not walking into an ambush. Apparently unoffended, Serrai assured her it was safe for Mesi. Unless, of course, this was the ambush.
Sitara affirmed that she had come alone and only wished to see to the security of her crew, adding that Mesi was unaware she was here. She also noted Serrai and the Minzokan man carrying bundles of what she recognized as practice swords. Once the scout returned and signaled that area was clear, Serrai seemed satisfied. She regarded the Captain with a mild interest and perhaps even respect, as Sitara offered her arm and tentatively, her trust, feeling the young swordswoman’s intentions were, in fact, honorable. They parted ways peacefully, and Sitara headed back for the beach, no longer feeling anxious, but remaining in earshot, all the same.
Mesi arrived punctually at the southern signpost, where she found Serrai and the Minzokan man waiting for her, carrying wrapped bundles on their backs. Heading further south before taking a path off the road, they conversed as they walked.
Serrai inquired about the trouble at the mine and Akash, including the nature of his and Mesi’s relationship. Mesi explained his defensiveness at the Festival as camaraderie, and acknowledged Serrai as the victor of their contest. While Mesi felt they had all underestimated the terms of yielding, Serrai intimated it was she who had been underestimated.
As the Minzokan man pulled out the training weapons and they began to put on pads, Serrai asked about Mesi’s martial training in Al Qura. Mesi explained she appreciated the discipline required for combat arts but did not care for its use in aggressive conquest. When Serrai prodded Mesi about her history, she told the story of why she had left Al Qura. After debating the differences between being lawful versus morally right, Serrai asked if Mesi did what she did to spare the rebel’s family or if was because she had believed him right, to which Mesi admitted it had been both.
As they began to spar, Mesi attempted to learn from Serrai’s defensive style of sword fighting of drawing, deflecting, and countering in smooth motions. Serrai continued, wondering what Mesi would have done if she hadn’t agreed with the rabble rouser’s point of view, or if his methods had been wrong. When Mesi became flustered by her questions, Serrai explained she was curious about what sort of person she truly was, though she believed Mesi to have strong sense of honor and justice, even under great pressure. Mesi asked if Serrai had ever reached her own breaking point, Serrai indicated she believed she had, and had come out the better for it.
Mesi also thought she had come out the better, even though her society might not agree. Admitting that it had bothered her at first, Mesi knew she had done the right thing, and felt self-acceptance should be enough. Serrai argued that people would see the truth through one’s actions rather than through one’s words. While Mesi could prove her society wrong, Serrai thought it unlikely, pointing out that breaking their laws was exactly what had made her a criminal rather than an eccentric going against societal norms. In response to Serrai’s question of how Mesi would go about changing her countrymens’ minds, Mesi could not answer, though she felt hopeful that things would work themselves out.
Finding Mesi’s outlook optimistic, Serrai noted that she was perhaps similar to Akash, as both appeared to hope for great change without embracing the necessities that must accompany them. Serrai questioned Akash’s belief that Mesi had yielded their fight because she was saving herself for a greater battle to bring an end to slavery in Al Qura. Mesi admitted she was unsure of her goals beyond wishing to unify the Ta Atouan expatriates.
Wondering why Akash would envision Mesi as a revolutionary, Serrai was impressed to learn they had attacked a Ta Atouan assault barge, but disappointed when Mesi conceded she would not have attacked them purely based on her political stance. Believing that Akash projected his own ideals onto Mesi, Serrai concluded that neither of them had the guts to be a revolutionary.
Taking Serrai’s blunt response to heart, Mesi finally voiced the fear that she would be unable to change things. Serrai confronted her with the reality of being a revolutionary, and asked her if she was ready for everything that would come with it. After some consideration, Mesi confirmed she believed she was ready.
When Serrai emphasized the necessity for allies as well as self-conviction, Mesi confided that she was not certain some of her allies were being entirely transparent, inquiring about Serrai’s comment at Akash’s shop regarding his “other business.” Serrai noted the oddities of the crew’s apparent professional relationships with one another, and asked whether it was the first time Mesi had questioned their trustworthiness. Admitting Akash and Kasumi had been secretive before, Mesi still wondered if it was just her imagination. Serrai advised Mesi to mind her instincts, that her awareness would keep her alive.
...*...
Early on the morning of the 25th, Viz Leany set sail north heading for the mountain road which led to Akash’s mine, fully loaded with supplies and men. Alim had loaded the ship with a batch of timber suitable for reinforcing mining tunnels, as well as the wagons and draft animals to haul them. Serrai too had held up her end of her bargain with Akash, sending a decent number of rough-looking men to assist at the mine.
On the 2nd of the 5th moon, they arrived at the junction of the coastal and mountain roads, where the crew unloaded the supplies onto the wagons and set out for Akash’s mine. Kannuki, Vendela, Diallo, Jian, Emrys, and Mehdi volunteered to accompany the party and workers, while the rest were to return with Viz Leany to Rhakosis. Along the way the party kept an ear out for news, but heard nothing of note about the other mining ventures along the mountain road, nor were there any reports of significant changes in mine output.
Late on the evening of the 20th, the caravan arrived at Akash’s mine, much to his workers’ surprise. As they quickly set about unloading the caravan, Akash spoke with his foreman Muraqib Eummal Itimad bin Soheil Joshi and discovered that the problems them had begun several weeks ago and had steadily grown worse. With the present crew following into Itimad’s office, everyone learned how dire the situation seemed to be. Not only had newer tunnels collapsed, but also a well-established tunnel, and recently one of the main branches of the mine.
With Akash eager to investigate, the crew took up lanterns and set off towards the mine, though Sitara was visibly nervous about venturing in. Itimad led the party down to explore Akash’s mine. Realizing it was surprisingly deep, the party passed by many different tunnels, including those that had collapsed.
While on their way out, the group realized Akash was no longer with them. He had stepped into a side tunnel and attempted to commune with the mine. Feeling oppressed, and more than a little unsettled, he was found by Kasumi and escorted out of the mine. Upon exiting, Kasumi took to looking at the mine’s ledgers and worker reports to see who was involved in the mine collapses, who had reported strange happenings, and anyone who seemed out of place. The rest of the party socialized with those miners still awake and eventually got some rest.
...*...
The next morning, Akash helped prepare breakfast for his men while Kasumi began interviewing the miners. Over the course of the day, Kasumi learned that there had been seven new miners who had joined the work crew within the last few months. Though none of them reported any mining experience, the veteran miners all reported they learned their skills very quickly.
Despite this, the veterans described at length about how things seemed to have been progressing slower, not running as smoothly as usual. Their tools, for example, seemed to wear out more quickly. Several of the men, particularly those who had survived or been nearby when the cave ins occurred, spoke of unsettling feelings and strange echoes coming from within the inactive parts of the mine. They reported the rock giving way in unusual and unpredictable ways, and the mine often feeling less stable than normal.
Deciding to examine the equipment, Akash and Kasumi realized that many of the tools kept in the worker’s shed were malformed in some minor way: pick tips were slightly rounded or angled slightly off on the shaft, wedges were blunted, cart axles were bent. The pair sought out the mine’s smith, Shakir, at his forge, a large man covered in soot, dust, and bushy hair. He initially blamed the strange happenings on the miner’s not paying proper respects to the Jinn. When Akash and Kasumi showed him that many of the tools he created were defective, the smith took offense before they shared their theory that the tools had been sabotaged. Shakir promised to keep their suspicions secret, before the pair left to continue their investigation.
Speaking with Vendela, Akash and Kasumi learned that the wood used for the mine was sturdy and well cut, though what had been pulled from the collapsed tunnels was far too damaged ascertain why it had failed. She agreed that it could have been sabotaged, though she admitted there were many ways in which it could have been done and it would be very difficult to detect.
...*...
Meanwhile, Sitara and Mesi set out with the hunters to examine the lay of the land. Traveling across rugged terrain, the pair learned that while there were a number of small homesteads and retreats scattered throughout the mountains, none were nearby. Though they caught some small game for dinner, they found no signs of any people in the mountains above the mine. Over the course of their hike, they contemplated who or what could be behind the mine collapses. Wondering if perhaps it had something to do with Akash’s involvement in secret activities, they worried that he may have somehow angered the Jinn and been cursed.
...*...
As everyone gathered for dinner, Kasumi proposed that they return to the mine to see if anything felt off in a spiritual sense. Sitara and Mesi questioned this line of thinking, with Sitara believing it foolhardy to risk provoking the divine any further. When Sitara refused to go back into the mine, Mesi agreed to chaperone the men in hopes of keeping them out of trouble. The trio informed Itimad of their plan to return to the mine. Though confused, Itamad agreed to lead them through the tunnels.
Questioning the Foreman, the trio learned that the miners were mindful in their prayers and that there had been no lapse of faith, despite what the smith had indicated. As the four approached the mine, they noticed a pair of figures on the hillside above the mine and the faintest light of sparks. Akash, recognizing the larger of the figures as Kannuki, realized they were likely lighting incense in prayer for the group. Feeling reassured, the four entered the mine. As they passed through the tunnels, the party paid particular attention to the engravings at each branch, and it appeared the icons were being kept with due diligence.
Akash decided he wished to explore the section of the mine where his workers had excavated the strange gems he received just prior to joining the crew. Descending deep into the tunnels, Itimad led them through a series of narrow passages and into a natural cavern with a multitude of short tunnels branching off of it.
As the party explored the chamber, Akash attempted to commune with the mine using the three remaining stones he still carried from it. As he took a seat to pray, the party began to feel a sense of unease. Itimad stepped into the main cavern just as the party heard a series of loud noises from the tunnel leading out. His shouts were drowned out by the sound of crashing rock.
After the sounds of rumbling stone ceased, a small light sparked in the darkness as Itimad relit his lantern. With some of the party still retching from a truly fetid odor, they wondered at the source, though the foreman confirmed it was no mine gas he had ever encountered. Since the tunnel they had come through was completely caved in, the four searched the cavern looking for another exit, though Itimad informed them the workers had found no other passages from this chamber. Finding no way out of their current predicament, they settled down to take stock of their dire circumstances, and determine what resources they had. With their limited rations, Itimad estimated they had perhaps a fortnight before they would perish.
...*...
Hours passed, then days, though how many no one could count. In the oppressive gloom, they waited. Akash attempted to fill the vast emptiness with hopeful conversation, though as time passed, his companions found it increasingly difficult to share in his apparently unshakeable optimism.
When Akash insisted they had survived dangerous situations before and affirmed his belief that the Captain would find a way to save them, Mesi questioned how he could be so certain, contending that they had never been in such dire straits, or so powerless. Kasumi’s only contribution to the conversation was an admission that he had killed them all.
...*...
As time passed, Serrai’s words replayed over and over in Mesi’s head. She began to wonder...had she listened to her instincts sooner, could she have prevented this situation? Her mind raced until she was struck by the realization that while Itimad had uttered prayers and left offerings upon entering the mine, Akash had not. It seemed unlikely to her that this possibility had occurred to him, given his hopeful outlook. Despite how fearless Sitara was normally in the face of certain danger, Mesi recalled her trepidation about entering the collapsing mine. While Mesi did not think Sitara would abandon them, her pragmatism did not allow her to embrace Akash’s unfaltering confidence in their captain.
...*...
Kasumi knew that this was all his fault. I've killed us all, he thought dejectedly. Akash seemed sure that Sitara would come and save them, but Kasumi knew better...This was the end. For once, Kasumi realized that he was a blight on everyone he’d ever known, and despite every chance given him, he still managed to ruin other people's lives. The one thought that had always stuck with him is that he never forced anyone to do anything, always gave people an out, but Kasumi had to face facts. He had used his friends on more than one occasion, with little regard for their well being. In Xien La, he needn’t have involved the crew in the Yamuchi raid, but did so under the false pretense of helping the winery. In Vargarstaad, Mesi had nearly died fighting a bear just to sate Kasumi's own destructive curiosity. And now he had finally done it, in one fell swoop he would kill himself, Mesi, Akash, and the foreman, simply because he was so confident in himself, and hadn’t bothered to prepare...
I have to tell them. I have to let them know what I've done. Kasumi kept repeating this in his head, and resolved that if they escaped the cave, he would tell them the truth.
...*...
Mesi opened her eyes to the utter darkness. She thought she had heard something, but she had been drifting in and out of consciousness, and was not entirely sure she was even awake now. She had not heard a word from the others in what felt like ages, though she could not say for how long. She was unable to drag herself to them to check their breathing, much less summon the strength to investigate whatever noise her mind had convinced her she had heard.
There it was again.
She tried to command her body to move, though she felt impossibly heavy. Still unsure of whether she was dreaming, or already dead, Mesi thought she may have managed to inch towards it. Distant and muffled, she could have sworn she heard voices before she felt herself slipping away.
...*...
The morning after Akash and the others had ventured once more into the tunnels, his miners broke their fast and prepared for the day’s work. Calls rang out around the camp as the workers began to realize that Akash and Itimad were nowhere to be found, and Sitara soon discovered that no one had seen them return from the mine. One of the work crew managers, Bahij, quickly organized a search.
Realizing her friends might be trapped underground, or worse, buried alive, Sitara rallied the rest of her crew and offered what aid they could. One of the search parties finally discovered a section of collapsed tunnel deep within the mine. Wasting no time, the miners set to work on clearing the rubble, while Sitara stationed members of the crew to help keep watch. Bahij guessed they had perhaps a fortnight at best to free the trapped souls before they would perish from starvation and thirst.
On the sixth night, Sitara went to check on the progress at the cave-in. Quelling her deep-seated dread, she descended into the mine. As she neared the collapsed tunnel, she heard shouts and a deep rumble of stone. Against every instinct, she sprinted forwards through the passages, until she was met with a noxious odor and a pair of workers vomiting outside a fresh collapse. Forcing back bile, she tied a scarf around her face and plunged into the dust to find another worker retching and a pair of partially buried forms. The first man she pulled from the rubble was bruised, cut, and dazed, while the second she soon realized was Emrys, unconscious and badly injured. Carrying the men clear of the dust and stench, Sitara sounded the alarm.
After taking the wounded to Diallo, Sitara and Bahij set the workers to removing the new rubble and clearing out the noxious fumes from the tunnel, with the help of Kannuki and the blacksmith Shakir.
Once the ill workers had recovered, Sitara asked each of them what happened before the cave in. The two near the tunnel entrance recalled nothing strange other than the fumes accompanying the collapse, which they were certain was not normal mine gas. The pair closest to the cave-in remembered that Emrys heard a noise, and when he went to investigate, the supports gave way. Having taken a severe blow to the head, it took some time before Emrys regained consciousness, and his memory of the incident was vague. Though he recalled someone mentioning a noise before the collapse, he remembered nothing of what followed.
Perturbed by these stories as well as Emrys’ injuries, she warned Diallo to keep a close watch over him and the others. As the mining crews dug out enough of the rubble to recover the supports, Sitara fetched Vendela. The carpenter, who had helped build and inspected the supports herself, showed her where the joints had been weakened, concluding that someone or something had damaged them prior to the collapse. Deeply disturbed, Sitara spoke quietly with Jian and Mehdi, ensuring one of the three of them would be present at all times to continue their watch over the operation.
Three days after the last collapse, the work crews finished excavating the first section of the tunnel off of the main branch. They broke into an open area only to find the tunnel beyond had also collapsed, though not as entirely. With Akash, Kasumi, Mesi, and Itimad having been trapped for a week and a half now, time was running out, and they began excavating the next section with great urgency.
Late on the fourteenth night of the rescue operation, Bahij was insisting they were almost through when the miners were hit by another blast of noxious fumes. Prepared with scented scarves from Sitara and medicine to calm the stomach supplied by Diallo, the men pushed through. Clearing the rubble from the top of the shaft, they saw only darkness beyond. Kannuki pushed his way to the fore and began throwing rocks aside to clear the passage. Reaching a giant arm through, he pulled the unconscious form of Mesi through the gap.
After one of the men crawled through the opening, he shouted back that Akash was just on the other side, unconscious but alive. With more of the passageway cleared, the miners scattered into the cave beyond to recover the comatose bodies of Kasumi and Itimad, and rushed all four to the surface. Diallo immediately began treatment, reassuring everyone that they should survive, though they would remain weak for quite some time.
...*...
After a few days, the four survivors awoke to a crowd gathered round, greeting them with cheers, water skins and small bits of food. Speaking with each of them, an oddly reticent Sitara assured them that they would speak further once they had regained some of their strength, before taking a seat by one of the cots nearby. Looking over, they saw the heavily bandaged form of Emrys, and overheard a brief exchange between the Captain and Diallo revealing he was still not fully recovered from his head injury.
Over the course of the next several days, each of the recovering crew members made progress towards being up and about. With some assistance, Akash made an effort to be seen amongst his workers, while Mesi found solace outside camp. Kasumi kept mostly to himself, brooding over the events of the past weeks.
Once the crew reconvened, there was some debate as to the possible reasons for the mine collapses. Mesi argued that perhaps the cave-in that trapped them was the result of Akash neglecting to make the same prayers and offerings as his workers at the tunnel crossings before they entered.
Akash admitted to having something of a contentious relationship with the priests of Rhakosis, who seemed to feel his offerings to the Jinn were not befitting for one of his station. To the incredulousness of the party, Akash affirmed that he did not feel the priests were sharing all they knew of the Jinn and should not be respected above other men.
Glancing uneasily towards Akash’s foreman, Sitara switched to Oami, contending that there was no reason to distrust the divine sages: to lack faith in those to whom the Dreamer entrusted her secrets was to lack faith in Her judgment. Kasumi suggested the party take the conversation outside camp in order to keep from upsetting Akash’s workers who, the party realized, would be none too pleased to hear their employer did not think highly of the priests or perhaps made insufficient offerings to the Jinn.
Retreating to a clearing outside of the camp, Akash and Kasumi revealed they were members of a secretive brotherhood who had used the party for their own ends. The Brotherhood involvement in the events in Xien La, and the party’s unknowing part in determining its outcome, did not go over well with Sitara and Mesi. Even the fight in Rhakosis at the Smoking Cloud, they revealed, was but a play by a member of the Brotherhood to ruin the owner, who had annoyed them.
Sitara questioned why they, a successful businessman and an educated accountant, were apart of such a criminal organization. Kasumi answered, both sincerely and with a hint of shame, that he had joined the Brotherhood out of boredom. Akash revealed he was mainly involved because, as a street urchin, he had grown up amongst those connected with it. To him, they were his family. He admitted that he would see the Brotherhood changed into something of a legitimate organization that could be put to use against the worst criminal elements of the cities in which it maintained a presence.
Having come clean, the conversation turned back to the significance of the mine collapses. Eventually, Akash concluded that, after his perceived struggle with empathy, this was a test of the Jinn, for him to learn the lessons of loss, responsibility, and humility.
As they set off to return to camp, Sitara shared her concerns over inconsistencies in reports about the last cave-in. Speaking with Emrys once more, he confirmed that, before the collapse, the others had asked him if he heard something. This contradicted the statements of the miners involved, who had indicated Emrys was the one to voice concern over a noise in the tunnel. The party elected to pursue this, with Akash as bait.
...*...
The next day, Akash let it be known he meant to return to the mine to commune with the Jinn of the earth. Sitara, Jian, and Mesi went ahead to lay in wait in the side tunnels. On the way, they heard a soft tune from the woods outside of camp. Taking a short detour, they discovered Emrys, still heavily bandaged, had snuck out with his lute for some fresh air. Upon hearing their plan, he assured them that they would prevail, and the three women continued along their way to take up their positions inside the mine.
After some time, they saw Akash pass by, accompanied by Vendela. As the lights of their lanterns disappeared and the sound of their footsteps faded, an uneasy silence fell on the tunnels. In the dark they waited with bated breath, straining their eyes and ears. Finally, Sitara heard a quiet shuffling, and touched Jian’s arm to alert her. She could barely make out a form moving in the darkness ahead. She was softly approaching the figure when suddenly she felt the sting of a blade in her back.
A melee ensued in the near pitch black of the tunnel as Jian went to assist the Captain, who had been ambushed by a second figure from behind, then a third. Mesi, following the sounds of the scuffle, soon joined in the fray, until it was interrupted by a cracking sound followed by a noxious cloud and a flash of blinding light. Recovering quickly, Sitara saw the saboteurs sprinting for the entrance, but stopped to check on Jian before giving chase.
Seeing three men bolt from the mine entrance, Kasumi, Kannuki, and Mehdi quickly raced to catch them. The saboteurs split paths, making a break for the hills above the mine. The party, in hot pursuit, first came upon Emrys who, in his attempt to stop the miscreants, had taken another beating, along with his instrument. As the party fell behind their quarry, Sitara begged the Dreamer for guidance. Casting her gaze to the heavens, she caught sight of something bright streaking across the sky into the hills.
After a harrowing chase deep into the hills, they eventually lost sight of the saboteurs. After coming upon an impassable ravine, they finally decided to turn back, though they kept hunting for any signs of the escaped men. Kasumi managed to locate a hidden camp in the hills that appeared recently plundered, with a small chest emptied and thrown aside. Though the rest of the party returned to camp to recover from the ordeal, Kasumi stayed behind to comb over every inch of the hidden base.
After many excruciating hours, his diligence paid off, somewhat, as he returned to the mine with a sliver of parchment, seemingly the torn corner of a larger document. Several lines were drawn on it, which did not seem to match symbols from any language, and were in all likelihood part of a crest or insignia. It wasn't much, but Kasumi was convinced he would discover the assailants, no matter how long it took.
While the party could not muster up the same enthusiasm as Kasumi, they put the word out about the escaped men, sending messages to nearby mines and drawing up wanted posters. They set bounties for the saboteurs, whom they confirmed had all been apart of the newest group of recruits to the mines.
With the situation at the mine in hand, and the party recovering, they decided to return to Rhakosis. Taking a few days to prepare, on the 20th of the 6th moon, they began the long overland trip west on the mountain road, then south along the coastal road back to the City of Sails.
Akash, finding Tabari at the Purple Lantern, was startled when his brother shot to his feet and asked if he was aware of what had happened with his business interests. Making all speed to his shop, Akash found a letter from his mine foreman on his desk, detailing a series of tunnel collapses at his mine and asking for his prayers for the workers killed and missing in the tunnels.
Akash rushed back to the ship to inform the Captain of his situation. Without hesitation, Sitara lent him her support, offering to transport anything needed to aid his mines. Thanking her, he left to see to supporting his mine.
...*...
Kasumi set about checking Akash's books to see what he could afford while Mesi kept an eye on his shop. He also called in favors from his connections, though they netted him less support than he was hoping. Late that night, upon returning to his shop, Mesi informed Akash that someone was watching his comings and goings. As they were wondering who could be behind it, there was a sharp rap at the door.
The young swordswoman from the Festival of High Sun stood at the door, flanked by the Minzokan man, and Akash invited them in. Taking a cursory glance about his shop, she approached Mesi, inviting her to a friendly match again if she wished, before suggesting to Akash that they speak privately.
Once in his study upstairs, Serrai dropped the bag rather unceremoniously upon the table. Not one to mince words, she cooly demanded to know why he would leave her a gift of sword oils, first aid supplies, and an offer of employment after decrying her during the festival. When Akash explained he truly wished to know her better, to understand her goals, she was skeptical, finding it difficult to trust one who would change his tune so abruptly. He proclaimed he saw great potential in her, though he worried she would waste it doing things like squandering her life on a silly competition, much to her amusement. Mesi, he said, yielded the contest because she knew to save herself for worthier battles, such as the liberation of the slaves from Al Qura's current regime. Akash then revealed he was a member of the Brotherhood of the Watching Eye, and he had hoped to recruit her talent to the organization.
While apparently familiar with them, Serrai seemed unimpressed, but Akash overlooked her rather palpable disdain and expounded on his hopes for the group. He desired to unite the disparate factions of the Brotherhood, though without the more unsavory elements— kidnappers, extortionists, murderers, and the like. When Serrai referred to his proposed plan as a culling, she was perplexed when he rejected out of hand the idea of such a violent solution. She heard out his vision of converting the brotherhood from a loose network into a strong, centralized organization. After conferring briefly with the Minzokan man in private, she agreed that they could indeed conduct business.
On their way out, Serrai seemed to take note of both Kasumi and Mesi. Approaching Mesi, she gave her a small slip with directions on how to reach her if she wished to take up her offer to spar. As she turned to leave, Serrai inquired whether their Captain was aware of their business, Akash waved a hand dismissively—of course the Captain knew of his profitable enterprise as a master jewelcrafter. In response to her quizzical look at the mound of paperwork before Kasumi, Akash briefly explained the recent situation at his mine. Realizing Akash was very much preoccupied with his own distractions, Serrai offered to procure muscle for his mine, for a fair commission.
...*...
The next morning at breakfast, Mesi found Sitara musing over her premonition about the Mon before their voyage to the maelstrom and whether it might be related to the collapses at Akash’s mine. Contemplating the implications of the collapses, they recounted various events which occurred around that time, and wondered if perhaps it had something to do with Akash and Kasumi’s sometimes enigmatic behavior.
Mesi confided in the Captain her suspicions, especially after the strange comments Serrai made while visiting Akash’s shop. Perplexed as to why either Akash or the young swordswoman would agree to a business partnership after what happened at the festival, they agreed that something was amiss. Sitara revealed that, after several suggestions and exchanges that had struck her odd, she had shadowed the pair to various business establishments in Rhakosis. Though she was uncertain how they were connected, she had observed what seemed to be coded exchanges and clandestine dealings. Though Sitara cautioned her, Mesi decided to take Serrai up on her offer to spar, hoping to learn more of the mysterious swordswoman and perhaps glean some more information about their companions.
The next day, Mesi went to the Swaying Serpent, as per Serrai’s instructions. When she attempted to leave word of her desired meeting time with the barkeep , he brusquely informed her she should try her luck at the signpost just south of the southern gates in four hours’ time. After finishing her drink, she went to Alim’s shipyard to inform Sitara of her meeting, before finding a tavern near the southern gate to bide her time.
Meanwhile, Sitara took her own path to the crossroads just south of Rhakosis to scout out the area ahead of time. Finding a well-concealed spot off the road, she waited. As the meeting time drew closer, she spied the swordswoman and her companion making their way from the southern gate, but saw no sign of anyone else. As she crept through the wilderness, she accidentally upset some rocks, and heard a strange call from nearby, which seemed to quicken the pair’s pace on the road. Realizing she had been spotted, Sitara came slowly out into the open.
An Ash-sh’b man stepped softly out from the scrub nearby, bow and arrow drawn. As she stepped into the road, he kept an eye and a bead on Sitara until Serrai and the Minzokan man approached, then disappeared stealthily into the brush once more. When questioned what she was doing there, the Captain answered honestly that she had come to ensure her crew member was not walking into an ambush. Apparently unoffended, Serrai assured her it was safe for Mesi. Unless, of course, this was the ambush.
Sitara affirmed that she had come alone and only wished to see to the security of her crew, adding that Mesi was unaware she was here. She also noted Serrai and the Minzokan man carrying bundles of what she recognized as practice swords. Once the scout returned and signaled that area was clear, Serrai seemed satisfied. She regarded the Captain with a mild interest and perhaps even respect, as Sitara offered her arm and tentatively, her trust, feeling the young swordswoman’s intentions were, in fact, honorable. They parted ways peacefully, and Sitara headed back for the beach, no longer feeling anxious, but remaining in earshot, all the same.
Mesi arrived punctually at the southern signpost, where she found Serrai and the Minzokan man waiting for her, carrying wrapped bundles on their backs. Heading further south before taking a path off the road, they conversed as they walked.
Serrai inquired about the trouble at the mine and Akash, including the nature of his and Mesi’s relationship. Mesi explained his defensiveness at the Festival as camaraderie, and acknowledged Serrai as the victor of their contest. While Mesi felt they had all underestimated the terms of yielding, Serrai intimated it was she who had been underestimated.
As the Minzokan man pulled out the training weapons and they began to put on pads, Serrai asked about Mesi’s martial training in Al Qura. Mesi explained she appreciated the discipline required for combat arts but did not care for its use in aggressive conquest. When Serrai prodded Mesi about her history, she told the story of why she had left Al Qura. After debating the differences between being lawful versus morally right, Serrai asked if Mesi did what she did to spare the rebel’s family or if was because she had believed him right, to which Mesi admitted it had been both.
As they began to spar, Mesi attempted to learn from Serrai’s defensive style of sword fighting of drawing, deflecting, and countering in smooth motions. Serrai continued, wondering what Mesi would have done if she hadn’t agreed with the rabble rouser’s point of view, or if his methods had been wrong. When Mesi became flustered by her questions, Serrai explained she was curious about what sort of person she truly was, though she believed Mesi to have strong sense of honor and justice, even under great pressure. Mesi asked if Serrai had ever reached her own breaking point, Serrai indicated she believed she had, and had come out the better for it.
Mesi also thought she had come out the better, even though her society might not agree. Admitting that it had bothered her at first, Mesi knew she had done the right thing, and felt self-acceptance should be enough. Serrai argued that people would see the truth through one’s actions rather than through one’s words. While Mesi could prove her society wrong, Serrai thought it unlikely, pointing out that breaking their laws was exactly what had made her a criminal rather than an eccentric going against societal norms. In response to Serrai’s question of how Mesi would go about changing her countrymens’ minds, Mesi could not answer, though she felt hopeful that things would work themselves out.
Finding Mesi’s outlook optimistic, Serrai noted that she was perhaps similar to Akash, as both appeared to hope for great change without embracing the necessities that must accompany them. Serrai questioned Akash’s belief that Mesi had yielded their fight because she was saving herself for a greater battle to bring an end to slavery in Al Qura. Mesi admitted she was unsure of her goals beyond wishing to unify the Ta Atouan expatriates.
Wondering why Akash would envision Mesi as a revolutionary, Serrai was impressed to learn they had attacked a Ta Atouan assault barge, but disappointed when Mesi conceded she would not have attacked them purely based on her political stance. Believing that Akash projected his own ideals onto Mesi, Serrai concluded that neither of them had the guts to be a revolutionary.
Taking Serrai’s blunt response to heart, Mesi finally voiced the fear that she would be unable to change things. Serrai confronted her with the reality of being a revolutionary, and asked her if she was ready for everything that would come with it. After some consideration, Mesi confirmed she believed she was ready.
When Serrai emphasized the necessity for allies as well as self-conviction, Mesi confided that she was not certain some of her allies were being entirely transparent, inquiring about Serrai’s comment at Akash’s shop regarding his “other business.” Serrai noted the oddities of the crew’s apparent professional relationships with one another, and asked whether it was the first time Mesi had questioned their trustworthiness. Admitting Akash and Kasumi had been secretive before, Mesi still wondered if it was just her imagination. Serrai advised Mesi to mind her instincts, that her awareness would keep her alive.
...*...
Early on the morning of the 25th, Viz Leany set sail north heading for the mountain road which led to Akash’s mine, fully loaded with supplies and men. Alim had loaded the ship with a batch of timber suitable for reinforcing mining tunnels, as well as the wagons and draft animals to haul them. Serrai too had held up her end of her bargain with Akash, sending a decent number of rough-looking men to assist at the mine.
On the 2nd of the 5th moon, they arrived at the junction of the coastal and mountain roads, where the crew unloaded the supplies onto the wagons and set out for Akash’s mine. Kannuki, Vendela, Diallo, Jian, Emrys, and Mehdi volunteered to accompany the party and workers, while the rest were to return with Viz Leany to Rhakosis. Along the way the party kept an ear out for news, but heard nothing of note about the other mining ventures along the mountain road, nor were there any reports of significant changes in mine output.
Late on the evening of the 20th, the caravan arrived at Akash’s mine, much to his workers’ surprise. As they quickly set about unloading the caravan, Akash spoke with his foreman Muraqib Eummal Itimad bin Soheil Joshi and discovered that the problems them had begun several weeks ago and had steadily grown worse. With the present crew following into Itimad’s office, everyone learned how dire the situation seemed to be. Not only had newer tunnels collapsed, but also a well-established tunnel, and recently one of the main branches of the mine.
With Akash eager to investigate, the crew took up lanterns and set off towards the mine, though Sitara was visibly nervous about venturing in. Itimad led the party down to explore Akash’s mine. Realizing it was surprisingly deep, the party passed by many different tunnels, including those that had collapsed.
While on their way out, the group realized Akash was no longer with them. He had stepped into a side tunnel and attempted to commune with the mine. Feeling oppressed, and more than a little unsettled, he was found by Kasumi and escorted out of the mine. Upon exiting, Kasumi took to looking at the mine’s ledgers and worker reports to see who was involved in the mine collapses, who had reported strange happenings, and anyone who seemed out of place. The rest of the party socialized with those miners still awake and eventually got some rest.
...*...
The next morning, Akash helped prepare breakfast for his men while Kasumi began interviewing the miners. Over the course of the day, Kasumi learned that there had been seven new miners who had joined the work crew within the last few months. Though none of them reported any mining experience, the veteran miners all reported they learned their skills very quickly.
Despite this, the veterans described at length about how things seemed to have been progressing slower, not running as smoothly as usual. Their tools, for example, seemed to wear out more quickly. Several of the men, particularly those who had survived or been nearby when the cave ins occurred, spoke of unsettling feelings and strange echoes coming from within the inactive parts of the mine. They reported the rock giving way in unusual and unpredictable ways, and the mine often feeling less stable than normal.
Deciding to examine the equipment, Akash and Kasumi realized that many of the tools kept in the worker’s shed were malformed in some minor way: pick tips were slightly rounded or angled slightly off on the shaft, wedges were blunted, cart axles were bent. The pair sought out the mine’s smith, Shakir, at his forge, a large man covered in soot, dust, and bushy hair. He initially blamed the strange happenings on the miner’s not paying proper respects to the Jinn. When Akash and Kasumi showed him that many of the tools he created were defective, the smith took offense before they shared their theory that the tools had been sabotaged. Shakir promised to keep their suspicions secret, before the pair left to continue their investigation.
Speaking with Vendela, Akash and Kasumi learned that the wood used for the mine was sturdy and well cut, though what had been pulled from the collapsed tunnels was far too damaged ascertain why it had failed. She agreed that it could have been sabotaged, though she admitted there were many ways in which it could have been done and it would be very difficult to detect.
...*...
Meanwhile, Sitara and Mesi set out with the hunters to examine the lay of the land. Traveling across rugged terrain, the pair learned that while there were a number of small homesteads and retreats scattered throughout the mountains, none were nearby. Though they caught some small game for dinner, they found no signs of any people in the mountains above the mine. Over the course of their hike, they contemplated who or what could be behind the mine collapses. Wondering if perhaps it had something to do with Akash’s involvement in secret activities, they worried that he may have somehow angered the Jinn and been cursed.
...*...
As everyone gathered for dinner, Kasumi proposed that they return to the mine to see if anything felt off in a spiritual sense. Sitara and Mesi questioned this line of thinking, with Sitara believing it foolhardy to risk provoking the divine any further. When Sitara refused to go back into the mine, Mesi agreed to chaperone the men in hopes of keeping them out of trouble. The trio informed Itimad of their plan to return to the mine. Though confused, Itamad agreed to lead them through the tunnels.
Questioning the Foreman, the trio learned that the miners were mindful in their prayers and that there had been no lapse of faith, despite what the smith had indicated. As the four approached the mine, they noticed a pair of figures on the hillside above the mine and the faintest light of sparks. Akash, recognizing the larger of the figures as Kannuki, realized they were likely lighting incense in prayer for the group. Feeling reassured, the four entered the mine. As they passed through the tunnels, the party paid particular attention to the engravings at each branch, and it appeared the icons were being kept with due diligence.
Akash decided he wished to explore the section of the mine where his workers had excavated the strange gems he received just prior to joining the crew. Descending deep into the tunnels, Itimad led them through a series of narrow passages and into a natural cavern with a multitude of short tunnels branching off of it.
As the party explored the chamber, Akash attempted to commune with the mine using the three remaining stones he still carried from it. As he took a seat to pray, the party began to feel a sense of unease. Itimad stepped into the main cavern just as the party heard a series of loud noises from the tunnel leading out. His shouts were drowned out by the sound of crashing rock.
After the sounds of rumbling stone ceased, a small light sparked in the darkness as Itimad relit his lantern. With some of the party still retching from a truly fetid odor, they wondered at the source, though the foreman confirmed it was no mine gas he had ever encountered. Since the tunnel they had come through was completely caved in, the four searched the cavern looking for another exit, though Itimad informed them the workers had found no other passages from this chamber. Finding no way out of their current predicament, they settled down to take stock of their dire circumstances, and determine what resources they had. With their limited rations, Itimad estimated they had perhaps a fortnight before they would perish.
...*...
Hours passed, then days, though how many no one could count. In the oppressive gloom, they waited. Akash attempted to fill the vast emptiness with hopeful conversation, though as time passed, his companions found it increasingly difficult to share in his apparently unshakeable optimism.
When Akash insisted they had survived dangerous situations before and affirmed his belief that the Captain would find a way to save them, Mesi questioned how he could be so certain, contending that they had never been in such dire straits, or so powerless. Kasumi’s only contribution to the conversation was an admission that he had killed them all.
...*...
As time passed, Serrai’s words replayed over and over in Mesi’s head. She began to wonder...had she listened to her instincts sooner, could she have prevented this situation? Her mind raced until she was struck by the realization that while Itimad had uttered prayers and left offerings upon entering the mine, Akash had not. It seemed unlikely to her that this possibility had occurred to him, given his hopeful outlook. Despite how fearless Sitara was normally in the face of certain danger, Mesi recalled her trepidation about entering the collapsing mine. While Mesi did not think Sitara would abandon them, her pragmatism did not allow her to embrace Akash’s unfaltering confidence in their captain.
...*...
Kasumi knew that this was all his fault. I've killed us all, he thought dejectedly. Akash seemed sure that Sitara would come and save them, but Kasumi knew better...This was the end. For once, Kasumi realized that he was a blight on everyone he’d ever known, and despite every chance given him, he still managed to ruin other people's lives. The one thought that had always stuck with him is that he never forced anyone to do anything, always gave people an out, but Kasumi had to face facts. He had used his friends on more than one occasion, with little regard for their well being. In Xien La, he needn’t have involved the crew in the Yamuchi raid, but did so under the false pretense of helping the winery. In Vargarstaad, Mesi had nearly died fighting a bear just to sate Kasumi's own destructive curiosity. And now he had finally done it, in one fell swoop he would kill himself, Mesi, Akash, and the foreman, simply because he was so confident in himself, and hadn’t bothered to prepare...
I have to tell them. I have to let them know what I've done. Kasumi kept repeating this in his head, and resolved that if they escaped the cave, he would tell them the truth.
...*...
Mesi opened her eyes to the utter darkness. She thought she had heard something, but she had been drifting in and out of consciousness, and was not entirely sure she was even awake now. She had not heard a word from the others in what felt like ages, though she could not say for how long. She was unable to drag herself to them to check their breathing, much less summon the strength to investigate whatever noise her mind had convinced her she had heard.
There it was again.
She tried to command her body to move, though she felt impossibly heavy. Still unsure of whether she was dreaming, or already dead, Mesi thought she may have managed to inch towards it. Distant and muffled, she could have sworn she heard voices before she felt herself slipping away.
...*...
The morning after Akash and the others had ventured once more into the tunnels, his miners broke their fast and prepared for the day’s work. Calls rang out around the camp as the workers began to realize that Akash and Itimad were nowhere to be found, and Sitara soon discovered that no one had seen them return from the mine. One of the work crew managers, Bahij, quickly organized a search.
Realizing her friends might be trapped underground, or worse, buried alive, Sitara rallied the rest of her crew and offered what aid they could. One of the search parties finally discovered a section of collapsed tunnel deep within the mine. Wasting no time, the miners set to work on clearing the rubble, while Sitara stationed members of the crew to help keep watch. Bahij guessed they had perhaps a fortnight at best to free the trapped souls before they would perish from starvation and thirst.
On the sixth night, Sitara went to check on the progress at the cave-in. Quelling her deep-seated dread, she descended into the mine. As she neared the collapsed tunnel, she heard shouts and a deep rumble of stone. Against every instinct, she sprinted forwards through the passages, until she was met with a noxious odor and a pair of workers vomiting outside a fresh collapse. Forcing back bile, she tied a scarf around her face and plunged into the dust to find another worker retching and a pair of partially buried forms. The first man she pulled from the rubble was bruised, cut, and dazed, while the second she soon realized was Emrys, unconscious and badly injured. Carrying the men clear of the dust and stench, Sitara sounded the alarm.
After taking the wounded to Diallo, Sitara and Bahij set the workers to removing the new rubble and clearing out the noxious fumes from the tunnel, with the help of Kannuki and the blacksmith Shakir.
Once the ill workers had recovered, Sitara asked each of them what happened before the cave in. The two near the tunnel entrance recalled nothing strange other than the fumes accompanying the collapse, which they were certain was not normal mine gas. The pair closest to the cave-in remembered that Emrys heard a noise, and when he went to investigate, the supports gave way. Having taken a severe blow to the head, it took some time before Emrys regained consciousness, and his memory of the incident was vague. Though he recalled someone mentioning a noise before the collapse, he remembered nothing of what followed.
Perturbed by these stories as well as Emrys’ injuries, she warned Diallo to keep a close watch over him and the others. As the mining crews dug out enough of the rubble to recover the supports, Sitara fetched Vendela. The carpenter, who had helped build and inspected the supports herself, showed her where the joints had been weakened, concluding that someone or something had damaged them prior to the collapse. Deeply disturbed, Sitara spoke quietly with Jian and Mehdi, ensuring one of the three of them would be present at all times to continue their watch over the operation.
Three days after the last collapse, the work crews finished excavating the first section of the tunnel off of the main branch. They broke into an open area only to find the tunnel beyond had also collapsed, though not as entirely. With Akash, Kasumi, Mesi, and Itimad having been trapped for a week and a half now, time was running out, and they began excavating the next section with great urgency.
Late on the fourteenth night of the rescue operation, Bahij was insisting they were almost through when the miners were hit by another blast of noxious fumes. Prepared with scented scarves from Sitara and medicine to calm the stomach supplied by Diallo, the men pushed through. Clearing the rubble from the top of the shaft, they saw only darkness beyond. Kannuki pushed his way to the fore and began throwing rocks aside to clear the passage. Reaching a giant arm through, he pulled the unconscious form of Mesi through the gap.
After one of the men crawled through the opening, he shouted back that Akash was just on the other side, unconscious but alive. With more of the passageway cleared, the miners scattered into the cave beyond to recover the comatose bodies of Kasumi and Itimad, and rushed all four to the surface. Diallo immediately began treatment, reassuring everyone that they should survive, though they would remain weak for quite some time.
...*...
After a few days, the four survivors awoke to a crowd gathered round, greeting them with cheers, water skins and small bits of food. Speaking with each of them, an oddly reticent Sitara assured them that they would speak further once they had regained some of their strength, before taking a seat by one of the cots nearby. Looking over, they saw the heavily bandaged form of Emrys, and overheard a brief exchange between the Captain and Diallo revealing he was still not fully recovered from his head injury.
Over the course of the next several days, each of the recovering crew members made progress towards being up and about. With some assistance, Akash made an effort to be seen amongst his workers, while Mesi found solace outside camp. Kasumi kept mostly to himself, brooding over the events of the past weeks.
Once the crew reconvened, there was some debate as to the possible reasons for the mine collapses. Mesi argued that perhaps the cave-in that trapped them was the result of Akash neglecting to make the same prayers and offerings as his workers at the tunnel crossings before they entered.
Akash admitted to having something of a contentious relationship with the priests of Rhakosis, who seemed to feel his offerings to the Jinn were not befitting for one of his station. To the incredulousness of the party, Akash affirmed that he did not feel the priests were sharing all they knew of the Jinn and should not be respected above other men.
Glancing uneasily towards Akash’s foreman, Sitara switched to Oami, contending that there was no reason to distrust the divine sages: to lack faith in those to whom the Dreamer entrusted her secrets was to lack faith in Her judgment. Kasumi suggested the party take the conversation outside camp in order to keep from upsetting Akash’s workers who, the party realized, would be none too pleased to hear their employer did not think highly of the priests or perhaps made insufficient offerings to the Jinn.
Retreating to a clearing outside of the camp, Akash and Kasumi revealed they were members of a secretive brotherhood who had used the party for their own ends. The Brotherhood involvement in the events in Xien La, and the party’s unknowing part in determining its outcome, did not go over well with Sitara and Mesi. Even the fight in Rhakosis at the Smoking Cloud, they revealed, was but a play by a member of the Brotherhood to ruin the owner, who had annoyed them.
Sitara questioned why they, a successful businessman and an educated accountant, were apart of such a criminal organization. Kasumi answered, both sincerely and with a hint of shame, that he had joined the Brotherhood out of boredom. Akash revealed he was mainly involved because, as a street urchin, he had grown up amongst those connected with it. To him, they were his family. He admitted that he would see the Brotherhood changed into something of a legitimate organization that could be put to use against the worst criminal elements of the cities in which it maintained a presence.
Having come clean, the conversation turned back to the significance of the mine collapses. Eventually, Akash concluded that, after his perceived struggle with empathy, this was a test of the Jinn, for him to learn the lessons of loss, responsibility, and humility.
As they set off to return to camp, Sitara shared her concerns over inconsistencies in reports about the last cave-in. Speaking with Emrys once more, he confirmed that, before the collapse, the others had asked him if he heard something. This contradicted the statements of the miners involved, who had indicated Emrys was the one to voice concern over a noise in the tunnel. The party elected to pursue this, with Akash as bait.
...*...
The next day, Akash let it be known he meant to return to the mine to commune with the Jinn of the earth. Sitara, Jian, and Mesi went ahead to lay in wait in the side tunnels. On the way, they heard a soft tune from the woods outside of camp. Taking a short detour, they discovered Emrys, still heavily bandaged, had snuck out with his lute for some fresh air. Upon hearing their plan, he assured them that they would prevail, and the three women continued along their way to take up their positions inside the mine.
After some time, they saw Akash pass by, accompanied by Vendela. As the lights of their lanterns disappeared and the sound of their footsteps faded, an uneasy silence fell on the tunnels. In the dark they waited with bated breath, straining their eyes and ears. Finally, Sitara heard a quiet shuffling, and touched Jian’s arm to alert her. She could barely make out a form moving in the darkness ahead. She was softly approaching the figure when suddenly she felt the sting of a blade in her back.
A melee ensued in the near pitch black of the tunnel as Jian went to assist the Captain, who had been ambushed by a second figure from behind, then a third. Mesi, following the sounds of the scuffle, soon joined in the fray, until it was interrupted by a cracking sound followed by a noxious cloud and a flash of blinding light. Recovering quickly, Sitara saw the saboteurs sprinting for the entrance, but stopped to check on Jian before giving chase.
Seeing three men bolt from the mine entrance, Kasumi, Kannuki, and Mehdi quickly raced to catch them. The saboteurs split paths, making a break for the hills above the mine. The party, in hot pursuit, first came upon Emrys who, in his attempt to stop the miscreants, had taken another beating, along with his instrument. As the party fell behind their quarry, Sitara begged the Dreamer for guidance. Casting her gaze to the heavens, she caught sight of something bright streaking across the sky into the hills.
After a harrowing chase deep into the hills, they eventually lost sight of the saboteurs. After coming upon an impassable ravine, they finally decided to turn back, though they kept hunting for any signs of the escaped men. Kasumi managed to locate a hidden camp in the hills that appeared recently plundered, with a small chest emptied and thrown aside. Though the rest of the party returned to camp to recover from the ordeal, Kasumi stayed behind to comb over every inch of the hidden base.
After many excruciating hours, his diligence paid off, somewhat, as he returned to the mine with a sliver of parchment, seemingly the torn corner of a larger document. Several lines were drawn on it, which did not seem to match symbols from any language, and were in all likelihood part of a crest or insignia. It wasn't much, but Kasumi was convinced he would discover the assailants, no matter how long it took.
While the party could not muster up the same enthusiasm as Kasumi, they put the word out about the escaped men, sending messages to nearby mines and drawing up wanted posters. They set bounties for the saboteurs, whom they confirmed had all been apart of the newest group of recruits to the mines.
With the situation at the mine in hand, and the party recovering, they decided to return to Rhakosis. Taking a few days to prepare, on the 20th of the 6th moon, they began the long overland trip west on the mountain road, then south along the coastal road back to the City of Sails.