GM: Kevan Forbes
System: Exalted, 2nd Edition
Hand’s Account
Were it not for Urasue’s Mastery of Small Manners, we may have perished in the fire storm, or worse, had to carve our path to safety in the blood of the Benhari.
Parched, hardly able to speak and saddle sore, Urasue dismounted and performed an oblation of peace before the desert tribe warriors. The spoke in quick, sharp words, harsh like the environment that surrounded them. I could not understand their words but their meaning was clear : “This is our home, you will NOT trespass.” Blessed with insight of the Unconcerned Sun, the riddle of their words took meaning and if as though remembering a long lost friend, within moments Urasue spoke as one of them. Surprised that an outsider would know not only their tongue but their customs as well, the wall of warriors parted and from behind their midst and old blind lady, perhaps the village elder, appeared to greet Urasue.
What transpired between the women is unknown to me, intimate secretes are the aspect of Liand, but an accord was struck and from the oasis a small god manifested, glowing with life and vitality under the harsh Ascendant Earth sun. Her name with Alisara and she spoke our tongue. She welcomed the sun-children into her home, so long as we meant no harm to her people. Once their guard was down the Benhari were friendly, caring and good spirited. Each of them lean from a harsh life, and suspicious of strangers, but good to their own. I was reminded for a time of Grace of Dancing Angels, how we cared for each other while we could. The memory of her tortured eyes became unbearable though and I turned my thoughts to more pressing matters.
Allowed into her private Sanctum, passing through a puddle in the floor, Alisara told us of her people, the Benhari and the desert that they not only traveled but protected from invasion by the Wyld. We commended her people and their cause and offered what aid we could. With skill that would make trained physicians appear clumsy as drunken dogs, Howakan ministered to the wise woman’s ailments. Her sight was restored, her limp removed, truly Howakan had performed a miracle. Wind, meanwhile braided a intricate bauble of beads and thread. Both gifts were revered by the Benhari and in her appreciation Alisara offered little Wind a coin she could cast into water and use to contact Alisara again in the future.
After the storm had passed we moved on. Well fed and restocked by the Benhari, the race to return to Gem was back on, there was precious little time before the great arena events, a social obligation, Urasue could not afford to miss.
Her name is Imbla Karem, a willowy woman from the south. Daughter of merchants who were betrayed by the guild and brought to ruin. She is a fiery young woman, inspired in no small part by Nadaal. Like many, she came to gem to hire herself out as a mercenary, but found something else. Men and women who stand for something she cannot understand, but is bigger than themselves. Karem is curious, she will learn more of these religious warriors, they will inspire something deep inside her, she will be one of them soon enough.
