An Errand for a Friend

[everyone]

Majid



Majid tensed a little when he heard someone clear their throat. He halted in his movement for a moment as he listened to the words which followed the sound before he lay down the swords in his hands carefully.
It didn't happen all too often that he was oblivious to his surroundings and missed someone else approaching, but this morning he obviously had too deeply been lost in thoughts to notice.

"Why do you seek to know?", he finally asked; his back still turned to the woman.
The merchant's voice was deep as he half-replied to her and it had a unique mixture of caution and interest to it that only seldomly was to be found amongst poeple.
When shortly after he finally turned around to face the newcomer Majid's dark but warm eyes settled on her and it was obvious that he tried to sort the stranger in. It seemed to be still too early to the young man as that she could be a costumer, and her delicate forms didn't speak of someone who was interested in buying weaponry either. Thus, wondering what her interest might be, he just kept on looking at her calmly while he awaited what she had to say.

[Kalani]

'Asim sent me.' Kalani answered without hesitation, when the deep-voiced merchant queried as to what she sought to know. She paused only briefly as she met his dark gaze, then continued, 'He told me that you might be able to help me find information on the whereabouts of a ship and her crew that I am seeking. for a friend.'

Kalani was quiet under the unobtrusive scrutiny of the other merchant. There had been a mixing of caution and interest in his voice when he addressed her, and she suspected that he was trying to sort out what her business might be. Of course, by now, her query would have answered the question in that regard.

[everyone]

Majid



The tall merchant listened intently to what the woman told; his gaze never leaving her own. It was when Asim's name fell that only for the shortest of moments his eyebrows rose before his face grew calm again.

"I reckon you're a friend of Asim's then?", he reasoned quietly. Asking her was kind of superfluous he knew for Asim sure had good reason to send the brunette to his stand and he wouldn't have done so if she weren't someone he trusted, but Majid voiced this question nevertheless.

The young merchant then studied the newcomer for another moment as briefly he wondered just why she was looking for a certain ship, but soon he realized that this would be none of his business anyway. And thus, suddenly a small smile appeared on Majid's lips and he bowed his head to the woman. It was obvious that eventually he had decided that the stranger was someone worth to be helpful to, and so he calmy sought her gaze again, his own one being more open now.

"I can not promise you anything, my lady, but let's first hear what ship you are searching for."

[Kalani]

The half question reasoning of the tall merchant elicited a nod from Kalani, though she did not feel it necessary to vocalize such a response. Somehow she suspected this fellow merchant was a man of few words and likely would just as much prefer that others did not prattle on either. She was not excessively "chatty" herself, though neither was she so introverted as to limit conversation. At any rate, she was content to remain quiet for a moment as Majid seemed to study her for an instant, before he bowed his head, seeming to come to some decision. Meeting his calm gaze, she returned his smile even as he requested more information on that which she was seeking.

'The name of the ship is The Nomad and she is captained by a man named Sinbad.' She silenced then, waiting hopefully for some sign of familiarity at the name and perhaps even news as to the whereabouts of the ship.

[everyone]

Majid



"The Nomad?"

Unlikely for Majid these words left the merchant's mouth before he even was aware he spoke them. His dark eyes seemed to light up for a moment, but as soon as it came, the change in his gaze was gone again, and he returned to watch the young woman calmly. Her features spoke of curiosity, sincerity and mixed with those two there was some hope that made Majid wonder about her once more. It was part of his nature to observe poeple and understand what drove them. It helped him get along in this world where a stranger like him so often was regarded to be a possible thread. But for now, his musings simply served his curiosity and so, awaiting her reaction to what he had to say, he voiced a reply.

"This name is well known to me, my lady", he spoke without any haste, his voice bearing honesty and, if one just listened well, the slightest trace of admiration.
"The ship you are searching for has seen more lands than the eyes of most sailors will ever have, and it is the dream of so many men to sail with its captain only for once. It is one of the most famous ships in all the Eastern World, and your friend must be either very fortunate to call its crew their ally, or in bitter need of help to have you ask for them."

His words were more a mirror of what he knew than they were a message for the young woman, and even though for someone unfamiliar with Majid's thoughts they might have sounded investigative, they were hardly meant that way. Still his gaze lay on her for a moment, his own expression giving nothing of his soul away.

"He is a merchant like us," the tall man finally continued, "And yet he is not like us at all." Majid didn't seem to see the necessarity to explain the last words he had spoken, instead he suddenly took a step towards Kalani. His movements were swift and yet they held no danger as his whole body spoke of nothing but interest in her case.
"Is this really the ship you are searching for?"

---

[Kalani]

For a moment, it seemed almost as though Majid were surprised that she was seeking The Nomad, but the expression that filled his eyes for that one heartbeat was gone again before Kalani could decide what it was that she had seen there. And after a moment of consideration, she chose not to worry about it. Whatever it was she might have seen, it did not seem threatening and so there was no need to worry about it. Instead, she focused on her fellow merchant as he assured her that he was quite familiar with The Nomad. The slight trace of admiration lacing his tone brought a slight smile to the brunette, but she said nothing more as he spoke of the ship she sought. Only a slight nod of her head was given to his words, until he finally asked the important question.

'Yes, this is truly the ship that I am searching for.' she confirmed, curious about the way he had taken a step closer towards her, but not feeling threatened. Her smile warming, she added, 'I am quite familiar with this ship, as well as with her crew. And I must find them.'

[everyone]

Majid



Majid didn't miss the smile that was forming on the young woman's lips as she listened to the words he spoke.
It was obvious that his interest in her case and the crew she was seeking hadn't gone unnoticed by her, but for some reason he didn't bother too much about this. He usually tried to avoid having poeple see parts of his nature, but this feelow merchant seemed trustworthy enough for him to let his guard down only the slightest bit.

"Well then", he finally spoke and just for once he let his gaze soften, "it may please you then to hear that she is closer than you think."
The tall man's eyes still lay on Kalani while slowly he went on: "The Nomad anchores at the shores of Basra. I saw her at the port just yesterday."

---

[Kalani]

The brunette observed her fellow merchant, but there was little to glean from him as to what sort of information he could offer as to the whereabouts of the Nomad. At least, until Majid's gaze softened as he spoke at last. He was right in saying that it would please her to hear that the ship was closer than she had thought. Kalani met his gaze, hopeful, and a smile lit her features fully as he said that the Nomad was actually docked in none other place than Basra's port itself. And that he had seen the ship just yesterday meant that it was most likely that she was still there. Inclining her head in gratitude to her fellow merchant, she said, 'I am very pleased to hear that indeed.' She wondered what Maeve would say, to hear such information, that the crew was actually here in Basra. 'I could not have heard better news.'

[everyone]

Majid



Majid's dark eyes focused on his fellow merchant completely as he watched her face light up with a smile. It sometimes seemed funny to him how such small news as the one he had just given her could elicit so much emotion from poeple. Without any doubt had the woman in front of him had a very good education, her manners being polite as only those of a highborn could be, and there was a certain grace about her that didn't allow her thoughts so surface this easily; but still Majid could well see the appreciation in her gaze. An appreciation which was strangely mixed with an anticipation that stirred his curiosity once more.

Briefly he thus returned the gesture that Kalani had sent his way; inclining his own head just a little and with this acknowledging what she had said and intimating that he appreciated being of help to her.
Then, after a short moment, he let his voice sound between the two of them once more:
"The port is quite busy these days. It might be hard to find her seeing that no matter how well-known the Nomad's name only few do recognize her sails."
He paused shortly, casting a glance to his stand as if he were contemplating something before he addressed the young merchantwoman again.
"I can show you where she is located if this would be of use to you."

---

[Kalani]

His remark on the busy industry common at the port was met with a slight nod from the brunette, though Kalani was not entirely sure what direction he was taking the conversation. Majid was a difficult man to read, that much she was certain of. He seemed to be in contemplation of something, though she was not certain what that was until he offered to show her the location of the Nomad himself. Another warm smile gracing her lips, she answered, 'I would be honored to accept your offer.'

Though she was relatively certain that she could locate the Nomad herself, having someone who knew exactly where the ship was would speed the process a great deal and make it possible for Maeve's reunion with the crew that much sooner.

[everyone]

Majid



"Very well then."

The tall merchant's head moved in a slight bow while he spoke those words to the young woman he had just gotten to know. There was a flicker in her gaze that told him that she was somewhat surprised about his offer, thought maybe that showing her the ship which obviously she knew so well was unneeded; and yet to Majid it was a question of loyalty to offer Kalani to take her there. Asim was one of the few poeple he truly trusted, and thus he would treat the brunette with no less respect and courtesy than he did his friend.

"If you would just give me a moment", his low voice addressed the young one before swiftly he stepped backwards. His long, dark robe fluttered slightly in the morning breeze as almost soundlessly he turned back to his stand and raised his right hand. Hidden from the other's sight was a cord and as he pulled on it thick linen lowered from the top of the stall, falling like a veil that would shield what lay behind it from any passenger's view.
It took Majid only seconds it seemed until he had tied the thick cloth to the stakes that formed the stand, and when he was done he straightened his back and with his black clothes surrounding him he looked even taller than he already was. His head he then inclined backwards until his eyes could spot the sky and when they did a sudden loud whistle cut through the air, followed by a single name.

"Nuray."

Before the echo of his voice had the chance to die, a quiet screech replied to it and not long after a shadow emerged from the skies, heading towards Majid and finally settling on the highest stake of his stand. The now bright sunlight revealed a black spotted white falcon - unnaturally bright coloured for its kin but with the typical greyish wings and back.
The small bird seemed to muster Kalani for a second before almost instantly its eyes shifted to lie on Majid.

"Guard it."

More the merchant did not say. He just held the animal's gaze until without making any noise the falcon suddenly flew off again, making its way back into the skies but obviously flying in a large circles now, it's route never leading it too far from the stand that Majid would leave otherwise unprotected now.

As soon as the bird of prey had left the ground again, the merchant turned back to the woman who he offered to take her to the Nomad to. His dark eyes spotting her, he expressed calmly:
"We may now go."

---

[Kalani]

She inclined her dark head briefly at his request for a moment of time, stepping back a little, though watching with some curiousity as he covered the stand that housed his wares so that it would be less tempting to any who might pass by. Kalani wondered briefly if he had an assistant who would watch things for him while he was gone or whether he intended to leave it untended. She was considering whether to offer one of her own assistants to at least keep an eye on things for him, when he released a piercing whistle, followed by the name, "Nuray."

The young merchantwoman had little time to puzzle out who Nuray might be, before the small falcon had arrived. She smiled a little at being studied by the small bird, before its attention had shifted to Majid, who ordered the falcon to guard the stand. That led her to decide that he probably would not need her offer of assistance after all. Majid's words, that they could now go, were met with the slight nod of the brunette, 'Of course,' she agreed, moving to make her way to the port, accompanied by her fellow merchant.

[everyone]

Majid



As the young brunette walked slightly ahead of him, Majid allowed himself to cast one last glance towards his stand. The tall man knew well that he wouldn't need to worry about his goods. He had brought up and trained Nuray himself, knew that the little falcon could defend what he owned. And as he saw her form fly high above their heads, Majid closed the gap on the young merchant he had decided to help with her concern.

They walked silently for some time then, each of them taking in the slowly awakening streets which brought along the buzz of a lively city like Basra was one. The further they went, the more poeple did cross their way, some of them risking a glance at the man with the dark robes and the foreign signs on his face but none minding so much as to halt in their steps and stare. Majid himself had long stopped to notice all those who wondered about his looks and thus he made his way through the crowds with long and even steps, not missing though how disperate he and his company must look like to others. With her fair skin and her light blue eyes the young brunette couldn't hide her foreign roots either, and it seemed to Majid that for those who walked them by they must look like he was the guard of this graceful woman.
It was in that moment, in which he thought about the one he accompanied, that he suddenly became aware of something and slowing down his pace slightly, he finally raised his voice.

"You didn't tell me", he stated while beginning to watch her from the corner of his eyes, "what your name is."
And then he turned to look directly at her, his dark eyes focusing expectantly at her own pale gaze.

---

[Kalani]

Kalani enjoyed the sounds of the city as it became more awake, the streets become more lively as people began to leave their homes to go about their daily business. It was not as busy as it would get later on in the day, but it was certainly more bustling than it had been when she had first approached Majid. She liked the early morning best of all, before the city was awake, but she also liked this time of day too, when life was awakening in the city streets of Basra. It was invigorating and it always made her morning more enjoyable somehow.

It was an instant before the young brunette noted that her fellow merchant had slowed his pace and, curiousity piqued as to the reason for this, she slowed her own pace in order to glance at him with sky-blue eyes lit with curiousity. Her unspoken question was answered an instant later, however, when he mentioned not knowing her name. Her fair skin flushed the slightest tint of rose, realizing her lack in manners, having failed to introduce herself. Smiling deprecatingly, she answered, 'I fear worry about my friend has stolen away my manners; do forgive me. My name is Kalani.'

[everyone]

Majid



It was an ever so faint flush that coloured the young brunette's cheeks as she became aware of her companion's words. The tall merchant had to admit that, although in his culture someone's name was the most important thing to know, he did not really mind Kalani having forgotten about sharing the same. However, the merchantswoman seemed to be quite unsettled by her missing introduction and Majid couldn't help this smallest of smiles that formed on his lips as she excused herself for, as she regarded it, her lack in manners.

"You have nothing to be sorry for", he stated after a little moment of silence, and it was obvious by the good-natured tone that suddenly was evident in his voice that Majid actually meant what he said. He indicated a slight bow of his head then, acknowledging with it her words, before finally he turned to face the streets again.
Walking next to the young woman in a comfortable pace his gaze soon left her, his dark brown eyes shifting to spot the stalls and buildings around them. For a moment they didn't lie on Kalani anymore; yet something in his gaze told that his attention was still focused on her. And then, through the buzz of the city, he addressed the young woman again.

"Kalani", he mused quietly, yet loud enough for her to her, "This is quite an unusual name. Would you mind me asking for its origin?"

---