After an hour of testing, Master Trader Hajeem's sergeant has proclaimed Jarik essentially fit and suitable enough with weapons to serve as a caravan escort. It is at this moment that a servant girl Kavi comes up to the fox and asks him to go with her, as Hajeem has requested his presence in a private audience…

The flap opens and the servant girl waits outside, gesturing for Jarik to go within. Inside, the Kavi trader sits behind a table with a grid of white and black triangles, upon which playing pieces rest at three corners. "Come in, Sir Jarik," he says.

Two servants attend the trader within, but there is no sign of the poodle. Perhaps he has gone to rest from the exertions of the past days. Some short curly white hairs on a cushion attest to the fact that Kazhir, like Jarik, is a guest of the noble Master Trader.

Jarik smiles to Hajeem, "Good day again, good sir. You wished to see me?" The fox asks as he enters and sits down on a cushion in front of the trader.

"Yes indeed," Hajeem says. "Tell me, does this mean anything to you?… " He gestures, the Star and Anchor that is the religious signature of the Rephidim Temple. And the Star again.

Jarik takes a breath, "It has begun to, sir." The fox gets somewhat noticably uncomfortable, "A friend made that symbol to me. Before I realized the true importance of it, lives were lost." The fox's voice is tinged with sadness.

Hajeem nods to Jarik, eyes a little distant. "You have gone through a great deal of course. As has the noble, Kazhir no Varomanov. Tell me, what do you think of your erstwhile traveling companion?"

Jarik sits quietly for a time… "Well… " Jarik begins, "I don't think he has any respect for lives other than his own. Money means more to him than people, or so it seems. He's arrogant, self preserving, cowardly, ready to betray someone at a moment's notice, he comes from a very sheltered life, I think. He knows nothing of honor and loyalty to a cause… " He sighs, "I am new to this world and my beliefs are different than many here. I follow an old code of honor, compassion, and sacrifice. He calls me insane that I would risk anything to save someone else."

Hajeem sits back and taps his fingers over the table. "In a way, you are right, Sir Jarik. But Kazhir is young. These things are difficult to learn. Some are fortunate enough to find teachers who bring out these virtues in them early. Some… Must learn the hard way." He looks at Jarik, brows furrowing. "You are of course, aware that Kazhir knows of the secret."

Jarik sighs, "Yes." The fox's ears flatten, "I was… fortunate in some ways to learn what it means to respect life. It took a great loss for me to learn it." He pauses and continues, "I don't know what I'm going to do about Kazhir, sir. Right now, many lives are at stake because of what he knows. I know he won't keep the secret long either. The fact of him calling me 'traitor' is evidence enough of that. I've tried to show him in our travels here about honor, but it's fallen on deaf ears. Now, I have one option left and it's one I dread." The fox looks into Hajeem's eyes, "I am more the healer than the warrior, sir. It makes what I have to do very hard."

Hajeem raises a finger. "You will not do it."

Jarik nods, "Not here, no. I gave my word."

"Lord Kazhir has been accepted as my honored guest," the Kavi trader continues. "It violates all desert law for me to allow one of my guests to be harmed or killed… In any way. His death would be a formidable embarrassment to me." He picks up one of the golden-colored pieces from the board, rolling it around in his hand contemplatively, watching Jarik's reaction.

Jarik says, "As I promised, I will not hard him on your lands. My word is my bond, sir."

"There is more." Hajeem's eyes turn hard as he leans forward and sets the golden piece on the board again. "Until this morning, I had no idea what that gesture meant."

Jarik remains motionless, "I have only an idea of what it means, sir.

"You had forewarning. You should have known that since the poodle, Kazhir, knew, that he might tell others. Such as his most gracious and generous host, Master Trader Hajeem, who is helping him to return to his father." The Kavi studies the knight. "Ah, but esteemed guest Jarik, you are most fortunate that it is the trustworthy and compassionate Kavi Hajeem that he has chosen to tell. Would you like to know why?"

Jarik nods, "Yes, I would."

Hajeem gestures to the cushion where the poodle sat. "He came to me with a remarkable story about a society of Savanites, with members placed high in the Temple and within the households of numerous nobles. He said that these people were obviously traitors and disloyal to their true masters and therefore, must be killed before they could betray them. Why, he even cited yourself as a likely traitor to the Rephidim Temple, in whose service you stand. Imagine!"

Jarik sighs and shakes his head, "I have seen no disloyalty from them to anyone. They are working to make life better for their race. It has been a long time since I've met such dedication in any species. I have great respect for them, sir."

"That was not precisely my argument in discussing the matter with Lord Kazhir," Hajeem says thoughtfully. He picks up one of the gray pieces, carved of a stone that is nearly translucent like mist, and turns the carved soldier about in his hands.

Jarik says, "What do you mean, sir?"

"You will observe that there is one fundamental flaw of their organization… Once their secret is revealed, it is easy to convince one of them that the other person is an ally. Is it not?" Hajeem ironically gestures with the Star, Anchor, Star again, using the hand with the soldier in it. "But I am not your enemy, Sir Jarik. Nor theirs."

Jarik nods, "Yes. I know. It is my fault that it has been discovered. Had I realized in time, it wouldn't have."

"I am… Simply a desert trader. It is, as we say, one with the sands to me whether the Savanites are free or they are enslaved. But a network such as the Lady Azhtar belongs to – yes, I have my informants in the Temple – has ready access to interesting information of all kind." Hajeem examines Jarik carefully, looking him head to knees, the rest being seated on the cushions out of line of sight. "Wishes. Regrets. Your decision has been carried on the winds, out of your hands. And into mine."

Jarik looks at the gaming board, then to Hajeem, "Kazhir doesn't understand. Maybe you don't either, sir. I will not allow harm to come to them. If it costs my life, so be it. I made an oath a long time ago to protect, I will do so from now till I pass to the next world." The fox takes a breath, "I abhor violence, sir. In the words of Sir T'Aris, who was taught them by one of great wisdom, peace and freedom cannot be kept by force, only by understanding. This is what I try to do. This is what I believe they are trying to do."

Hajeem listens to Jarik's statement, then places the gray piece he had been holding into the centermost triangle on the board. "That is a good philosophy. You should listen to it more." As if digressing, he adds, "Some people prefer K'tinza, the game that is played with two sides, light against dark. One side wins. The other falls." He gestures across the board. "I prefer K'trinzhai. Three sides. There are elements of trust, distrust. Alliance. Betrayal. It is a richer game from which to learn."

"And without learning, without knowledge… " Hajeem turns the gray piece over on its side. "You will fail."

Jarik nods, "I have been learning since I arrived. I have been trying to teach as well, but it falls on deaf ears in this world, sir. Kazhir is blind to many things." The fox looks at the gameboard again, "I am not the knight T'Aris was. I try to do what is right in my heart, always. But, I am young, there are so many things I have yet to learn."

"It is the beginning of wisdom to understand how much one does not know," Hajeem agrees. "So now, are you ready to learn?"

Jarik tilts his head, "As ready as I am capable of knowing. Wisdom comes with experience, and experience comes with living." The knight looks back to Hajeem, "I hope that I am ready."

The Kavi trader inclines his head. "First of all. Do not fill your speech with homilies and proverbs. It shows less interest in listening and more in demonstrating that you have read many fine books which you are interested in quoting. A simple 'yes' will suffice." He grins whitely.

Jarik nods slightly.

"Now. I am given to understand that you are an Exile, and thus perhaps unused to the culture of this world." Hajeem pauses delicately, as if trying to put it in the nicest possible way. "Many people are less dedicated to pure virtues than yourself, Sir Jarik. They do not agree with you about what honor is, and generosity, and compassion, and trust, and they will not respond to your pleads that they abide by what you understand of these. You may disrespect them for that. But nevertheless, they are the people that live on our fine world of Sinai." The trader gestures about the lavishly decorated tent and beams. "The salt of the sands, as it were."

"So, you must learn to give them what they want, in exchange for that which it is you wish." Hajeem says. He waits a moment, tilting his head for Jarik's response.

Jarik takes a breath, "That is the most difficult of things. Many times I've tried to work with people instead of against here. I can only do that so far, until it conflicts with what I believe."

"Perhaps it is because you do not understand them," Hajeem says. He leans forward again. "What is it that Kazhir fears when he hears of a conspiracy of Savanites, some of whom might be servants in high places, or even his own household?"

Jarik says, "I imagine he fears them harming or killing those he knows."

"Precisely. He imagines them to be under his control… And presented with proof that they are not." Hajeem shrugs. "Is it surprising that he wishes to be sure that they will never betray him?"

Jarik says, "No. It is not. But killing them will only worsen the situation."

The trader says, "Ah! But it is perhaps not necessary to kill them to control them." His eyes are dark, something that Jarik hadn't remarked before, a a dark brown tinged with gold. "Instead… I have proposed that we will collect information on this organization. We will gather evidence that can be used to destroy them… If they seek to turn against us. Thus, I have satisfied Lord Kazhir's wish for a guarantee that he will not face a rebellion of slaves on his own estates. Perhaps I too may turn a profit from this exchange, if they are able to find knowledge in places where I cannot go. And you… What of you, heh?"

Jarik says, "Are you asking me to betray them?"

Hajeem's lips turn up a little at one corner. "You, Sir Jarik, are a man of principles. If I asked, I believe the answer would be no. I would not trust you if the answer were yes."

Jarik says, "I will not betray them, you assumed correctly."

The Kavi taps his clawtips on the board again. Blunt, non-retractile, painted gold. "I will tell you this. It benefits me to keep Kazhir alive. It benefits me to establish a working association with the Lady Azhtar. We will… Come to an understanding. But it will not benefit me if a poorly trained knight attempts to interfere with these arrangements. And many might come to a bad end if this happened."

The ferret's intonation and his glance to the pieces on the board make it evident who the 'many' would be. Not he and his people.

Jarik says, "You speak in thinly veiled threats. As for lady Azhtar, if you truly seek an understanding, that is fine. If harm does befall her, neither your nor Kazhir will be safe from me." He waves a hand, "You will forever have to be surrounded by guards, as will he. I can make threats just as easily." The fox looks at Hajeem coldly, "Now, what do you want of me.""

Hajeem frowns. "It is disappointing that you choose to make idle threats from your position, Sir Jarik. You should think more carefully before you speak. A host less gracious than I would certainly take that as an insult." He sighs gently, and then takes the toppled gray piece from the board, tossing it up in his hand. "But I am generous and forgiving. I will give you your life. More! I will give you a death, if you wish it."

The Kavi's grin shows sharp little white teeth. "Do you find service in the Rephidim temple not to your tastes?"

Jarik's appearance betrays no reaction, "There are worse occupations. I prefer to travel, though." He chuckles, "Another kavi asked me that once."

"Indeed." Hajeem turns the gray piece around a bit, as if studying it. An armed soldier of some kind. "I can arrange for you to be dead. An accident along the way to Elamoore. There are numerous dangerous creatures, bandits, treacherous trails… " The Kavi puts the piece back on the board, in its original place. "Sir Jarik of the Rephidim Temple dies. Someone quite different arrives in Elamoore."

Jarik chuckles to himself, "I had considered that possibility. Who would know, for one?" He tilts his head, "And what will it cost me? Nothing is ever free." He muses over the idea, "It would allow me to be more effective in helping the Savanites, hrm."

Master Trader Hajeem smiles sharply. "Consider it my parting lesson to you, Sir Jarik. Perhaps one day we will meet again." He takes out a scroll that he had already written out just a little while ago and hands it to Jarik. "You will need to give this to the master of the caravan that is bound for Elamoore."

Jarik raises a hand, "And what of Lady Azhtar and my friends? I do wish to see them again. I won't abandon them."

"The caravan that left some… Ten minutes ago," the Kavi trader adds. "Tell the Sergeant that you need a Dromadon to follow them. I hope that you can ride."

Jarik nods, "Of course I can. I'm not as poorly trained as you think I am, sir."

"Ah! I will assure the Lady Azhtar that you wish her the very best." Hajeem gestures pleasantly. "I am certain that she will appreciate knowing that you are well."

Jarik says, "Then she will know that I am alive?"

"Of course," Hajeem says with some surprise.

Jarik says, "What of Kazhir?"

The Kavi trader smiles again, showing a hint of fangs again. "He is my honored guest. It will be at least six days before an airship is able to return with my flyer as a guide, to our next camp and retrieve him. In that time, there will be much to show Lord Kazhir, and much which he may be taught." He stands and gestures for Jarik to walk with him to the flap of the tent, which he lifts.

Jarik stands, "I have little choice. So, I accept." He goes to the flap, "Please, as a final request, let no harm come to her and the rest?"

"Perhaps by that time, he may be sufficiently intrigued with the details of my trading operation that he may wish to persuade his father to let us foster him for a while. We are certainly able to provide for him to the degree to which he is used… And a little independence and tutelage, I am certain, will have excellent results." Hajeem points to the faint dust cloud on the horizon. "Go and find the sergeant quickly now, Sir Jarik. You have little time to waste."

Jarik bows to the trader and smiles. "Take care, sir. Do tell Azhtar I miss her and hope to see her soon." the fox replies before going off to find the sergeant.

Master Trader Hajeem looks after the fox quietly. "It is on the winds, what happens next. None of us can prevent harm." And then, softer, he adds, "I believe your lady Azhtar knows that. She faces hurt every day. And overcomes it."

The Kavi grins wryly. "Bet she'll be difficult at the bargaining table." He stretches a little.

Jarik grins back at the Kavi, "Much worse than I am."