Roho's time at the palace of the Sabaoth has been largely uneventful. And this is not necessarily a bad thing.

He has been able to wander around a significant portion of the palace, which would afford wonderful views of the city and of the Great Tower … but, alas, such things are lost on him. Still, there are the sounds and smells of the hanging gardens, which are, it is not a stretch to say, beyond compare.

As for the Sabaoth, he has reacted remarkably well to the treatments. So remarkably so, that he has decided to throw a banquet…

Savanite and Naga servants move about hurriedly, tending to the guests and making final preparations for the meal which is already set out on a long, low table, down the center of a high-ceilinged great hall that the Sabaoth uses for his extravagant feasts.

Along the length of the hall, statues of Eeee gods and goddesses – the pantheon worshipped by Ashdodites – stand in their alcoves, looking impassively above and beyond the mortals who mill about, and find places to recline on thick cushions along the table.

The majority of the guests are, not surprisingly, the bat-like Eeee. However, there are some of the snake-like Naga who are of sufficient station to warrant being invited to this event, and a few other other races as well – including a certain blind fennec healer who has been given a position that is not entirely SPECIAL, but still of some honor.

There is much whispering and murmuring amongst the guests nearby the fennec, though unfortunately Rephidim Standard is not in strong usage just now.

Roho sits quietly in his place at the table, simply taking in the sounds and smells.

A couple of Savanites attend to Roho, though it's an awkward arrangement, since he can't see them, and they can't speak to him.

A bat nearby Roho squeaks at him incessantly in Eeee. He has a fairly cheery tone of voice, but seems oblivious to Roho's lack of recognition of the tongue.

Maza sits down beside Roho with a rustle of a dress just back from the palace tailors and whispers, "Sorry I'm late." She swishes her fluffly golden tail, looking around. "Oh wow… Does the Sabaoth always eat like this? I wonder if they've any need for a new lady in waiting."

Roho chuckles and relaxes a little as Maza arrives … at last, someone who speaks standard! He mutters in a low voice to her, "I wouldn't doubt they have room for one or two… Can you understand what the fellow there is saying?"

There are so many mingling smells. Some of them are actually familiar. There's a whiff of perfume, as a lady walks by, but it's gone before Roho can place it. Then, there's another smell – some oils. (The bats often oil their hair – especially the warriors.) It is reminiscent of Boghaz, the son of Sabaoth. He must be sitting down somewhere nearby, or else just across the long, narrow table.

Maza tilts her ears. "He's asking you if you know how to cure a pain of the stomach… He says it comes and goes, and he hasn't been able to eat anything but – " The vixen almost drools. "Mikan grain soup with bits of Bromthen truffles. I wish I could eat like that," she whispers to Roho. "But anyway, he says that spicy and rich food upsets him."

Roho grins, "Tell him to eat less spicy foods, then! And when he does, chewing a little tark willow bark will help… "

Maza chirps at the cheery bat. "He says thank you very much and that he will have some ordered right away," the vixen reports after a while. "He wonders if you have been away from Babel so long that your Eeee is rusty… "

Roho sighs and nods, "Very … I'm picking up words here and there, but they all talk so fast… "

"Why would he think you know Eeee?" Maza asks curiously. "Have you been here before?"

Roho nods slightly, "A few times … I used to have a working grasp of it, at least. Apparently, a few folks even remember me… "

Maza chirps. Then blinks. "He just called you a nice young bat." She giggles, delicately, covering her muzzle with a hand.

Roho seems to be fighting a grin, "Probably the ears… "

Maza looks at Roho's ears. "I suppose so," she murmurs beneath the general noise of feast conversation, smiling, then chirps an explanation to the cheery bat that the healer is a fennec but appreciates the compliment. "Yes, some of that for the Healer would be excellent. And that… Ah, do you take meat, Roho? Or do you prefer the vegetables? Bread?"

A thick-tongued voice from across the table says, "Congratulationss, Roho." There's a crunch of broken carapace. The speaker must have some bugs on his plate. "Youuu've … done well."

A pungent aroma of berry-wine drifts across the table from the direction of the unnamed speaker.

Roho smiles, "I take meat, thank you… " He turns to the voice, and bows his head slightly, though he doesn't recognize the voice, "I only do what I can… "

There's a clatter across the table, and the sounds of several footsteps – of Savanite slaves, probably – and the brushing of cloths, perhaps to clean up a spill.

The golden vixen 'assistant to the great healer Roho' gestures to the Savanites and makes sure Roho's plate is filled with goodies. She makes sure to get some for herself, soon followed by munching noises.

Roho eats the food, eating lightly but quite enthusiastically, for the food is quite excellent!

Maza starts, beginning to smell nervous to Roho's nose as a drink spills. She leans over to whisper, "That's the Sabaoth's son, Boghaz. He's had a few refills of that wine."

The table is not entirely centered down the hall – there is a wider portion to one side which houses what serves as a stage. Music plays on the sitar, finger-cymbals, and pipe. By the jingle of bells and the sounds of swirling and shifting silks, there must be a dancer entertaining the guests.

Roho leans over and whispers back, "It isn't bad wine … but he didn't really strike me as the drunken type… "

More chatter. More clattering of utensils and moving of plates. More servants rushing about to refill glasses and bring out new servings.

Roho starts to shift uncomfortably as things become more cluttered, and Maza's smell becomes more nervous…

And then, without warning (at least, for those who couldn't see it coming), there is a loud ***GONG*** at the end of the hall, beyond the head of the table. All chatter, even whispers, quickly die out. After all, this is in a hall of the Eeee. Keen ears are to be found everywhere … even if they're still ringing from that gong.

Maza's ears go *poit!*

There is a rustle of heavy cloth and the jingle of jewelry and ornamental armor as the Sabaoth rises to his feet.

Roho's ears perk in surprise, then he sits back and listens expectantly…

Roho. o O ( I hope I'm not missing something… it wouldn't look good to have everyone standing for a special event, and me be the only one left sitting! )

By the sound of it, no one is standing, but all are remaining reclined.

The Sabaoth speaks in a voice that is fairly deep for an Eeee. "As you can see, the gods have smiled upon me, and restored my health to me. For that I am most grateful, and I have given many burnt sacrifices to them to show that gratitude."

"But my gratitude is also to the one whose hands were used by the gods to express their will," the Sabaoth continues. "The one who given me healing herbs to bring strength to my bones again."

A cup is set before Roho. It contains a brew of the tea he has been prescribing to the Sabaoth, by the smell of it.

Roho's ears swivel forward in surprise at the words… he looks a little shocked.

"I have been dutifully taking this healing tea with each meal. And this one is no exception. Let the healer bring forth his elixir, so that all may recognize him and remember his face," the Sabaoth bids.

Maza puts her hand over Roho's and whispers excitedly, "He's going to thank you! In front of… " She almost audibly blushes as she looks around to wonder how many heard. She begins to stand so that she can escort the healer so he won't bump into anything carelessly strewn on the floor.

Roho picks up the cup a little shakily, and starts towards the Sabaoth's head of the table, head bowed respectfully and his ears flushed…

As Roho's head is bowed, his nose picks up a different scent. Something … hard to place.

Roho slows his steps, and he concentrates more on sniffing, trying not to appear conspicuous. He swivels his ears a bit, picking up as much as he can…

"I am so pleased that he should receive the reward that was offered. But that, I feel is not enough. Therefore, I have decided that this healer, Roho the Wanderer, should be given TWICE that in reward," the Sabaoth announces.

There are several gasps of astonishment from all about the table.

Maza's dress smells crisp and new as they rustle with her realization that Roho's slowing down. She slows down likewise, looking at him concerned, but then goes almost audibly *bing!* as she hears the word.

"That would be not one hundred … but TWO hundred gold Shekels," the Sabaoth says, prompting more gasps.

Roho blinks slowly… "Your majesty, you are most generous." He continues forward with the mug, trying to place the scent he caught a moment ago. It seems so familiar…

The scent smells like almonds, and appears to be coming from the very cup Roho is carrying, intermingled with the more familiar smells of his own herbs.

It is a very faint scent. One which most persons – such as an Eeee or Naga – would not catch.

Roho stops, not sure what to say… "Your majesty… " He pauses, trying to find the right words that will let him keep his head at the same time, "I think perhaps another cup of medicine should be prepared for you tonight."

Sabaoth says, in a much less voluminous voice, "And why is that, good healer Roho?"

Maza's ears fold back, stirring the suddenly still air near Roho. She looks down at the soup and then up at Roho's face.

Roho says in a low voice, so that only those nearby can hear, including Maza and Sabaoth, "I smell something. There is something in this cup other than the herbs I have given to those who prepare your meals. I don't know what it is… but I can smell it clearly, and it smells familiar… "

Maza's ears wilt.

Sarai adjusts her gown slightly, looking between the Sabaoth and the healer, from her seat nearby. Her eyes widen in surprise at the news.

Roho looks clearly uncomfortable…

There is a snort from the Sabaoth, and something clatters to the table. His fuming is almost audible.

Roho almost takes a step back as the Sabaoth's anger clarly comes across in his scent and sound. But he stands firm, the cup in his hand…

"What is this? Seize the kitchen staff! How dare any tamper with the cup of the Sabaoth! Have them tortured immediately! And all hands that have touched that cup this night!" He adds quickly, "Save the one presently carrying it."

There are several gasps and wails, as the Sabaoth's warriors quickly snap into action. There isn't going to be quite as much table service for the banquet tonight.

Roho flinches, "Perhaps they merely added something to make it more palatable, your majesty… "

Maza looks at her hands quickly and starts dusting them off on her skirts, fearful that even the air whishing by the cup might have tainted them.

"The healer is compassionate," Thath says by the Sabaoth's side. "But a compassionate heart will not uproot treason. Have the kitchen staff seized immediately and confined," he suggests. "I will personally question them and get to the bottom of this matter, Great Sabaoth."

"And have this cup destroyed," the Sabaoth growls. "It is forever tainted."

Sarai clasps her hands tightly, merely watching the unfolding events.

The Saboath pauses, and audibly nods (given his jewelry and costuming). "You are a faithful servant, Thath. I will entrust this to your capable hands."

Roho holds the cup, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else at the moment…

The black-haired white bat bows. "You are wise, Ruler of All He Surveys and Mighty Smiter of the Faithless. I but follow your will." He motions to the guards, then steps forward to take the cup from Roho's hand personally.

Roho hands the cup over to Thath.

"Have another cup made immediately," Sabaoth bids. "I will not have my will thwarted by saboteurs. Strike up the music again! Let Delilah continue her dance! Let the healer return when the next cup is ready."

Roho bows low to Sabaoth, and returns to his seat.

Thath takes the cup and hands it to a guard. "See that the contents of this cup are divided into eight so that those who plotted treason may drink their own bile," he hisses beneath the Sabaoth's declaration. "The cup itself – it is to be melted down to the base metal from which it is made. Waste not, want not." He folds his hands unctuously as the guards scurry and servants squeal.

Maza trembles next to Roho. She whispers, "We had better get to work… I don't think Mighty Sabaoth wants any delay."

The music begins to start up again, but suddenly stops – at a signal from someone. "There is another matter of which I shall speak tonight," the Sabaoth declares. "And it is a cause for great celebration and rejoicing."

Roho starts to say something to Maza, then stops as Sabaoth speaks again…

"I am well again, and this sickness will hold us apart no longer. Within my kingdom is a gentle flower of great beauty, and I have chosen to honor her by bringing her into my household," the Sabaoth proclaims.

Roho winces slightly, remembering the words from the garden on his first arrival, and knowing what is to come…

Sarai slowly looks over towards the Sabaoth, biting into her lower lip to hold back the tears that threaten to reach her eyes.

"Stand, Saraizadze of the House of Jerasha. Stand so that all here may admire your beauty," the Sabaoth commands.

Maza swishes her tail and looks excited. She whispers, "Oh, she's so beautiful," to Roho. "I wish I could look so poised, so dignified… "

Roho whispers back, with a grin, "I'm sure you do… "

Somewhere not far away, another bat seethes, his liquored breaths coming forcefully through clenched teeth.

Roho grows uncomfortable as Boghaz's anger becomes clear to him… . o O ( How will he take this? )

Sarai slowly stands from the cushion she had been seated on. She quietly adjusts her gown so that it hangs straight. Her eyes focus vaguely down upon the ground, unable to bring herself to look anyone in the eyes…

There is a bang and the sound of falling cups from one side. A male bat warrior staggers to his feet, swaying. "A toast! I propose a TOAST to the mighty Sabaoth, Ruler of All He Surveys, Taker of All He Pleases, Blessed of the Gods!"

Roho bites his lips at the middle words of Boghaz…

Thath says near Roho in a low voice, "Well, Healer? Go and make your herbs for the Sabaoth. He must be well to consummate his binding with the beauteous Saraizadze, long may she please his eyes."

There is a sudden movement, as some reflexively begin to react, raising their own glasses, while others are not so sure.

Roho nods at Thath, and stands, starting to unobtrusively make his way towards the kitchens, for boiling water…

Maza jumps and goes "eep!", not having noticed Thath's approach.

Maza hurries along with Roho. She whispers, "This is scary… What are we going to do?"

Roho whispers back as he makes his way, "I don't know… I don't want to get involved in affairs of the house in one way, but I guess I already am… "

"Another flower!" Boghaz says, his voice cracking. "Another flower for your garden already overflowing with the beauties that Babel has to offer, father? That is, a flower until you deem her a weed, to be plucked out and cast into the fire?" He begins to laugh, droplets of his drink spilling to the table and splattering on nearby guests, who are now shuffling to get clear.

Thath looks after the healer and his 'assistant', and then stalks back to his place at the Sabaoth's side.

Sabaoth is silent. And as for the expression on his face – Well, imagination will have to suffice for one who cannot see.

Roho turns in the doorway, and opens his mouth to say something… then shuts it again.

Sarai looks towards the bat warrior worriedly. "No, Boghaz," she mouths to herself. "Not now… " She's already been lost… he shouldn't endanger himself now…

Maza whispers back to Roho, "What can we do then? I don't want to get killed… "

Roho smiles bitterly, "Does anyone? Stepping between two royals would be a good way to start if one did, though… "

Roho stays in the doorway, waiting for the result…

Thath makes soothing gestures. "It is the wine that speaks," he murmurs to his ruler. "Allow me to take your son aside. He will see your wisdom, Great Sabaoth."

The Sabaoth's voice is shaking. "Yes, take him aside. As for his fate … "

Roho mutters under his breath, "I'm going to regret this… if I live long enough to… " He steps back into the room…

"Youth is often forgetful of its place," Thath says smoothly. "I am certain you will be magnaminous, and your decision will be acclaimed for years as a jewel of our long history." He motions to Boghaz, stepping across to try and escort the distraught warrior aside.

Sarai looks from the Sabaoth to Boghaz, the tears finally making their appearance in her eyes.

Maza wilts behind Roho, then starts looking for ways to escape Really Quickly. When royals get upset, rewards often vanish.

Sabaoth looks to Saraizadze. "Do not weep. He will not sour this occasion with his drunken ravings."

Roho walks towards the Sabaoth, leaving Maza behind him, but stops a few paces short, "Your majesty… will you hear me out?"

With a shaking of jewelry, the Sabaoth turns to face the healer. His voice is strained between conflicting emotions. "Speak. Speak before my whole hall falls into chaos! Tampering with my cup, and now my son is drunk. Have the gods thought their blessing upon me given in haste?"

Thath pauses near Boghaz. His soothing and placating gestures go unnoticed by the blind healer.

Boghaz just laughs like a madman, at some joke only he can grasp.

Roho kneels down before Sabaoth, "Your majesty, you shown your generosity to me plainly. You have a kind and noble heart. I ask instead of money, that you bestow your generosity elsewhere… "

Sarai looks distinctly uncomfortable. If only she hadn't been bid to stand… maybe enough has happened that she could sit back down without being noticed… but she's not feeling quite so daring.

Maza covers her eyes with her hand. Oh no!

Roho continues, "When I first came to Babel, I heard Boghaz and Sarai speaking. They thought they went unheard. Your majesty… they are in love with each other. Instead of gold, would you let their love be fulfilled?"

The request, as it takes a few seconds to sink in … brings down the house. By the sounds, several guests are leaving the banquet a wee bit early…

Roho stays on his knee, with his head bowed.

"B… grx … gnk … IS THIS TRUE?!?" the Sabaoth roars, turning so that his question is not directed toward one, but the whole assembly, the hall and the gods above.

Sarai's eyes widen, then she squeezes them shut. Somehow, when she'd told herself that dying would be better than entering the Sabaoth's harem, she hadn't expected it to actually happen.

Maza thinks to herself of visions of gold coins swishing… Flapping away on Eeee wings.

Roho rasps, "Your majesty… they could not help it… "

Roho rasps, "Love is too rare to be chosen willingly."

Boghaz ignores Thath's attempts at consolation, hardly believing his ears. "That poor blind healer," he laughs. "He curses me, trying to bless me. Oh, but the gods have a mad humor!"

Sabaoth bellows, "What the Sabaoth wills IS! My love does not fail! It is not thwarted!"

Roho stays on his knee, oblivious to the royal politics he's just turned upside-down. A wanderer's life doesn't prepare one for such things…

Sabaoth growls, "If I so wished it, I could order all my men in this room to put to the sword all present to witness this travesty, and then to turn their swords upon themselves!"

The Sabaoth shakes and seethes. Could he be seriously contemplating proving his power?

Sarai cringes, feeling somehow that she ought to do something to smooth over the events, but not at all certain of what she could do that would have any effect but to hasten her eventual demise. So she remains very still, her hands clenched tightly together at her waist.

Thath looks at the Sabaoth, then at Saraizadze. "Is it true?" he asks, commanding attention suddenly. "Tell the truth! Have you known the love of the Sabaoth's son, Boghaz, in defiance of our Great Ruler's wisdom?"

Boghaz manages a brief display of sobriety as he fixes his gaze upon Sarai, watching her face intently.

Roho waits for the verdict, not speaking, half expecting a sword to bite through his neck at any time…

Sarai flinches slightly at the sudden attention. Slowly she replies, "No, Sabaoth… " Her voice is very quiet. "… we have but conversed… from time to time." Her gaze flicks towards Boghaz to try to gauge his reaction.

Boghaz looks as if he has been struck a mortal blow. He staggers, then collapses, hitting against the table, prompting several more gasps nearby.

Sarai seems to shrink into herself. At least now he won't be killed… that made the half-lie worth telling… didn't it?

Sabaoth's expression smooths as he smiles to Sarai. "Forgive me, my flower, for doubting your faithfulness." He looks about. "But as for the one who had the honor of being called Boghaz bar Sabaoth, his transgression is unacceptable."

"I see," Thath says in an arch voice. "Then you are as yet innocent of any other… And fit for the court of the great Sabaoth. Whereas your son," he hisses to the ruler as he stalks up close. "He has coveted what is your own. He must learn to follow orders, to know that your wisdom is not to be questioned. Let us order him to a post far away where he will be trained… "

"Disciplined," Sabaoth's advisor murmurs in a low voice.

The Sabaoth snaps his fingers, and at once guards step in to seize the fallen Boghaz, who has not the strength or will to resist them as he is hoisted roughly back to his feet.

Sabaoth's mouth twitches into a faint smile at this. "Disciplined," he repeats, his eyes cold and hard.

Sarai swallows hard, her eyes widening. "Lord… it is but the wine speaking in him… "

"Silence!" Sabaoth roars. "I have made my judgement. None shall doubt my wisdom. No one is to speak in the defense of this one – may his name not be repeated again – under harsh penalty!"

Thath bows to the Sabaoth's orders, then turns and looks at Roho. Generous, he adds, "As for the healer, he is an outlander and thus perhaps innocent of our ways. Let him be sent forth as well. Without reward – he has forfeited his right to any." His lips curl in a sneer that Roho cannot see, but can hear. "Do not question the generosity of the great Sabaoth in choosing your reward, Healer."

Roho turns to Thath, "I question nothing the Sabaoth judges… "

Sarai wobbles slightly, then abruptly sits down on her cushion, dropping her head into her hands.

"See to it that haste is made," the Sabaoth says. "I wish to have no reminders of this to taint my joy with beautiful Saraizadze. Put them both on an airship, borne for distant lands."

"At once, Mighty Sabaoth," Thath murmurs.

Roho stands and bows his head to the Sabaoth, "Very well, your majesty. And I will leave the herbs for you. I do not know if you are fully cured yet or not… "

Sabaoth looks upon the shattered remains of his banquet. He does not sound quite so strong now. "I am weary of this. I will retire to my chamber." He does not even give Roho the slightest bit of recognition.

With that, the Sabaoth turns and walks out of the chamber, his ornamental armor now visibly weighing upon him greatly.

Sarai mops at her eyes with the back of a hand before glancing up and watching as the warriors draw her love away. Tears slowly build up in her eyes again, blurring her vision.

As he is pulled away, Boghaz dares let one whisper fall from his lips. "I shall never love another, Saraizadze. Not until death, nor in the lands beyond… " He gets a rough elbow to the ribs, and then, through the doorway, he is gone.

Sarai drops her head back into her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

Roho follows obediently before Thath, pausing only to deposit one of his bags of herbs on the table.

… Fade to black …

Atop one of the towering ziggurats, an airship sways gently in the wind, straining against its mooring lines, while slaves load up the cargo platform which rests below, and then allow it to be slowly drawn up on thick cables toward the deck of the craft.

It is daybreak now, not long after sunrise. The huge vessel is almost ready to begin its journey eastward, toward the ocean, and shores beyond.

The platform slowly lowers again, this time ready to take on flightless passengers who will be making the trip as well. Among those passengers is a fennec healer, who is closely watched by sour-looking Eeee warriors.

His lack of a full night's sleep must be taxing him severely. His bags feel so much heavier than they used to.

From a distance, running feet pitterpat on the stone floor as they approach the warriors and the fennec. "Roho!" a familiar vixen's voice cries out. "Wait for me!"

Roho looks up, his face drawn… he smiles, his countenance lightening, "Maza!"

Maza approaches the warriors. "Hey, let me by! I'm with the healer. Roho! Tell them!"

Roho doubts they'll listen, but… "She's with me. She's my assistant… that is, if she still wants to assist a dishonored healer… "

One of the warriors mutters, "You should choose your master more carefully."

Maza flushes, then steps onto the platform next to Roho. "Oh, it's good to see you alive! I was thinking that they were going to do horrible things to you… " She leaves unmentioned that she left the hall a good while before Roho did, and that her bags were nowhere to be seen. "I heard from a friend that they only decided to exile you and that prince, Boghaz, and I've always wanted to see Rephidim, so… " She chatters for a bit through the boarding.

Roho chuckles softly, and squeezes Maza's paw for a moment, "Well, it's good to see you again, too. At least there will be someone friendly aboard… "

Roho rasps, "They haven't beaten me. Oddly enough."

Near the two, a black-haired white bat approaches. "Goodbye, Healer Roho," Thath says darkly. "You knew little of which you meddled in. You are fortunate to have escaped intact as you did – but it is said that the First Ones often watch most closely over fools."

Maza goes "eep" next to Roho.

Roho doesn't answer Thath, he just sits, ready for departure.

Thath's eyes rest on Roho for a moment before he hisses, "It is best that you do not understand. Put Babel behind you and never return." To the guards, he snaps, "Take them up."

The Sabaoth's advisor turns and walks away from the ship of exiles.

At once, the cables begin straining, and the pulleys grinding as the platform and its passengers (and some more cargo) rises slowly up toward the deck. At least Roho can't see just how far of a drop it is if this were to tip over.

Maza goes 'whew' next to Roho. "He sure doesn't like you," the golden vixen chirps. "I mean, it's not your fault that the thing with the cup happened and ruined the Sabaoth's feast; he could lighten up a little."

Minutes later, the platform slides into place flush with the deck of the airship. Below, lines are released. The crew secures the deck and makes final preparations to cast off.

Nearby, a bat warrior stands, looking past the railing, his hands shackled and wings bound. Roho cannot see, but perhaps he could imagine how this warrior, once the prince of this city, is looking at the great tower for what may be the last time.

The other warriors move about, as the ship begins moving. It seems that the fennec and the vixen – and the once-prince – are fairly alone on this part of the deck. The creaking of wood and clanking of pulleys fills the air, along with shouts and commands and clanging bells.

Roho whispers low to Maza, "I think he didn't like me for a much larger reason."

Maza looks around nervously. "You still have your bags, don't you, Roho? They didn't take them away from you or go through them?" she whispers to the fennec, tugging on his arm. "Oh, well, that's not important, I mean, put it behind you and all that, good advice."

Roho rasps, "I think he was the one who put the poison in the Sabaoth's drink… "

Maza shushes Roho. "These bats have really good ears. Don't say things like that!"

Roho nods, "We can talk about it later… "

*WACHOO* echoes from nearby. "Gargh! Oh, my sinuses. I was doing so well, I thought I was cured!" Footsteps patter away.

Roho places his bags on the deck, "They left me my bags… I don't know if they removed anything or not." His face breaks into a grin at the sneeze, "Uhoh… well, I'd say our chances at getting to Rephidim are about 50/50!"

Another set of footsteps, these much heavier, approaches the fennec. "We meet again, healer," Boghaz says, his voice far more sober than at the banquet.

Maza reaches down to touch Roho's bags, then stiffens as Boghaz approaches. "I think they just got better," she whispers.

Roho nods up at Boghaz, "Indeed… "

Boghaz says, "As you may guess, I am not very happy. But nonetheless, I owe you a great debt of gratitude – even though my heart does not agree with me yet. You so quickly threw a fortune at the feet of the Sabaoth, and your very life – or at least your freedom – as well."

The golden vixen picks up Roho's bags and tries to look like an innocent healer's assistant.

Roho nods, "I could have guessed, Boghaz. But I would do it again. I was married once… "

Roho smiles sadly, "You owe me nothing… "

Boghaz bows his head. "That is just as well. I have nothing more to give." With that, he turns away, back toward the railing, to watch the metropolis drift away.

Roho chuckles, "I don't think any of us do, anymore… " He leans back against his seat, and closes his eyes.

Maza bows, then motions for Roho to follow. "Come on, let's get unpacked, Master."

The golden vixen tugs on Roho's arm, bouncing on her feet a little.

Roho stifles a giggle, "We'll have to work on the titles… " He follows Maza.

In Roho's quarters, the golden vixen starts unpacking… No wonder the bags were heavy. She draws forth several silver and copper bracelets, even a single gold bracelet made out of twisted wire shaped into animal heads here and there, and an assortment of smaller but metal utensils. "I'm all yours, 'Master', 'til we hit Rephidim, right? Then we're even splits." Maza grins winningly up at the fennec. "Well, someone has to take care of you."

Maza tries a bracelet on her arm, then sighs wistfully. No, she could never wear it in public.

Roho rasps, "Maza… where… where did you get this?!"

"Where do you think?" Maza grins and pats Roho's hand. "They searched me when I took off from the palace, but I gambled they wouldn't check your bags. Who thinks a blind healer would throw away two hundred gold and stoop to steal?"

Roho sighs and shakes his head, grinning, "Who indeed?"

Maza murrs happily and tilts her arm, making several bracelets go *bing* against each other. "So, partners 'til Rephidim, right?"

Roho chuckles, and picks up a small metal forkish object, "Partners til Rephidim." He grins, "Unless you want to become a healer for real."

"I'm all yours," Maza agrees. She twinkles.

Meanwhile, up on the deck, some of the warriors move over toward Boghaz, who turns to face them.

He looks in startlement as his shackles and bindings are released. He looks across the railing, then back. "Are you expecting me to try to flee … to be killed trying to escape? If this is some cruel joke of yours, I will have no part in it. If I am to die, I will do so standing, not with my back turned."

The warriors do not reply with word, but with action. Each one drops to one knee, bowing before Boghaz. "Never," says one. "We who are loyal to you and you alone journey with you across the ocean. Please forgive us for binding you like a criminal. It shall never happen again."

Boghaz stands there, dumbfounded. "Rise," he says, at last, his voice cracking slightly.

The bats oblige. Another one approaches, wearing a hooded cloak.

Boghaz turns toward the cowled stranger, his eyes asking for explanation for this sudden change of fate.

This other figure pauses for only a moment before pulling the hood back, revealing the features and shimmering deep brown eyes of his love, Saraizadze! Her eyes are still wet with tears, and she hesitates not a moment more before hurrying towards Boghaz.

Boghaz looks at Saraizadze as if she were a ghost. "Sar – " he chokes out, then takes her into his embrace, burying his face in her long hair.

While the two embrace, a white bat watches from a distance, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, and sniffling. "I've no idea what's going on," she sniffs, "but I love happy endings!"