Shadizar; the City of Wickedness: Chapter VII:, Of glittering Minarets and Dark Alleys:

[Nialldubh]

Olivia stood in the courtyard of her villa home, she had established it over the last year and was organizing her funds to secure her place in Zamora.

The arches around the courtyard where in deep grey shadow, which allowed Olivia to smiles as the sun was directly over the villa and beat down with intensity on the stone slabbed pathways that lead around a trickling fountain made from gold fleck white marble and carved in the likeness of naked Women dancing and poring wine from jugs and vases in which the water would pore out back into the pool below.

A thin Man in long yellow and orange robes with hunched shoulders approached Olivia as a Servant -Woman place on the intricately design bronze table her early morning or was it mid-day breakfast. This was Moristad, her Advisor and Accountant for her affairs and also Major domo of her estate when she was gone on one of her frequent visits in to Shadizar's brothel districts where the night-life was it's most exhilarating. She could not remain alone in this vast villa without some time to enjoy lives pleasures.

The Man had a sand colour circular cap on his head surrounded by a twisted white and yellow strip scarf rapped around it's rim. A thin pointed black beard protruded from his chin, showing some signs of grey.

"Good morning Lady Olivia, I trust you had a good nights sleep," he said with a bow and a slight smile, clasping his hands together.

[kintire]

Olivia looked around with a sigh of contentment before smiling at Moristad

"Excellent, thank you! Anything I should know about?"

She sat down and addressed herself to the breakfast, to the faint clink of the akbitainian sword that she wore wherever she went. Her fine shield hung not far away, and in her room was a suit of fine armour... rarely worn. But she did not fear attack today. Around her was her comfortable villa, surrounded by the olive groves and orchards that supplied its income. Just a couple of miles away rose the walls of shining Shadizar. Adventure and excitement seemed a thousand miles away... though in fact it was just a few miles. Shadizar's glittering distance view was profoundly deceptive, as she well knew.

[Nialldubh]

Moristad was a Shemite from the western coast of his land amongst the meadows. He had come to know Olivia when she arrived in Shadizar Caravan District in a brief encounter when she, looking for advise, had come upon his small business in one of the many streets of Shadizar. He negotiated business on behalf of others, but now he had permanent occupation within the villa and surrounding land of her estate after he negotiated the buy of the property from the previous landowner who would rather spend his time in the dens of Shadizar after the Man's wife died that maintain his business. He had been with his Lady Olivia for over a year now.

"The harvest is growing fine, now," he smiles, "access to the River has allowed the irrigation we introduced through last year to nurture the trees and to succeed in producing healthly fruit, the forthcoming harvest should be quite bountiful my Lady."

[kintire]

Olivia nods.

"Excellent. You have done well... as usual!"

She tried to concentrate on the man's words, but she still found estate management difficult to follow... and dull!

"Any news this morning? Events in the city?"

[Nialldubh]

"Nothing different," he snorts, "Shadizar is Shadizar and the stories are the usual, the King is mad, even when his mind was free of Yara when the High Priest of Zath disappeared, gone to who knows where. He is still babbling of conspiracy and fears every shadow!"

The Shemite bowed, "I must return to the field, the workers are expecting me, I trust you will he visiting Shadizar again this evening!" Moristad was accustomed to Olivia frequent visits to the Desert Maul in search of entertainment. He was never bother by her absence and enjoyed the freedom of the villa, but work was beckoning and he must be off.

[kintire]

Olivia grinned. She was entirely superfluous to the running of this estate, and she knew it!

She relaxed for the late morning and early afternoon, but as the day wore on she wandered up to her room and assessed her wardrobe, deciding what mood she was in. With a slightly wicked smile, she succumbed to that slight imp that had nudged her since that night in the tower. Slipping off her white tunic, she arrayed herself in a gold chain about her hips with a length of red silk threaded through it as a loincloth, and two gold chains about her torso, one above and one below her breasts with two red silk strips run between them, covering her breasts but leaving the cleavage bare. Adding some sandals she swung on a long cloak, to which her sword was attached, concealed in its folds. So accoutered, she set forth for her evening's excursion

[Nialldubh]

Olivia horse was saddled and waited in the courtyard. Most of the villas servants expected her to be moving freely between the villa and Shadizar at he leisure. Gone for days, none expected her to return to her home in any amount of rushing about and always they would seek Moristad if there was any household problems needing attended to.

The ride to the City of Shadizar could take over an hour to get there and she had the perfect stable in mind in which to leave her horse. Things had been good since the Tower's disappearance and Olivia had been mostly enjoying the life of luxury, so it was with great ease that she rode to the City of Wickedness!

[kintire]

As Olivia arrived at the stable and handed her horse to a groom she looked around expectantly, then grinned as she saw the supple form of Aelia, her companion approaching. The blonde and red headed Brythunian girls moved together, both in their long light cloaks.

After a brief discussion they turned and headed for the desert maul, aiming for a different section than their usual haunts, looking for something new!

[Nialldubh]

Aelia is astute as she is beautiful and waits for Olivia close to the City-Guard and she never has long to wait as Olivia never leaves a friend, waiting.

Olivia had arrived in Shadizar a year and a half ago after keeping a discrete presence in southern Zamora for the other year and a half. Three years since the Elephant Tower's disappearance and the horde of wealth she had accumulated, now she owned her own villa and orchards, which was no where near what she could have bought. She could have purchased King Tiridates Castle if it had been going for sale and still have more wealth to spare to spend her whole life in luxury.

The two Female walk to their destination chattering with each other. Most of the population of Zamora was about their own business, but a few who watched the two Brythunian Woman passing by, hesitated, for they notice the red-hair Amazon and had heard of her temper and her skill with the sword. Still Olivia never relaxed, she know many Men where dangerous and in Zamora, skilled cutthroats, murderers, thieves and kidnappers where abundant. Many a Man might crave her flesh and that of her friends if they did not know of of who or what she was and many had learn, to their regret.

[kintire]

As the two young women made their way into the desert, Olivia deliberatly took some turnings she had never taken before. In the mood for something new and perhaps a little risk taking, once in the district the two turn and head through an alley between two winding streets. Disappearing in, both are covered by their long cloaks. Emerging, the cloaks are slung over Olivia's arm, concealing the sword (she has learnt that Zamorians are uneasy with women with swords). Olivia's chains and silks were revealed. Aelia is identically "dressed", and they begin to look around for entertainment

[Nialldubh]

Beggars lined the streets and garbage will mixed with them, gangs of orphan Children known as 'The Dust,' scurried the streets and flee at any sign of trouble. The gangs of Zamorian Youths, themselves orphans of a neglect life-style watched with evil intent through slitted eyes as the Women passed by. Born to one-day be professional Kidnappers or Slavers, these Youths where destined for a life of cruelty and malicious existence!

Olivia had heard of the Tavern of Abuletes in the heart of the Desert and renown for being the best tavern in Shadizar. Here the Females danced naked and thieves caring not for who hears, talked of their next exploits in loud brash voices.

A faint scream from a Male-throat is heard in a close alley, stopped suddenly by a deadly silence, those that are close by either walk on or turn their heads away.

Each alley if full of gaudy colours and painted Women and Lasses plying their trade. Dens of debauchery, vice and orgies of lust come from many of the building as they pass by, focusing on their destination of Abuletes's Tavern.

[kintire]

Olivia checked the route carefully from her memory, while Aelia watched the life of the maul go on. As they rounded the final corner they saw the notorious tavern ahead, and exchanged glances. Oliva grinned and spoke.

"Well, time to see if this place is all its reputation makes it!"

Aelia shrugs and replies

"It won't be. Gossip is always more than truth. but if its even a half truth, it will still be an exciting place!"

They head in, to take in their first view of this notorious den

[Nialldubh]

The smoked filled main room was alive with People, Zamorian mostly roaring and shouting at one another, only a few glanced at the door to stop in amazement at the two Females as they entered, some returned to their drinks while other just stared. They passed the two burly Zamorian bouncers, both looking just as strong as Olivia, but they startled at the Woman physic and straighten, clenching their muscles as if to prove something.

"No trouble here red-head," one growls through the grisly black curly unkempt beard.

Indeed, Dancing Women and Lasses where spread across the main hall, naked apart of the the odd bit of cheap jewellery. They danced to the sound of the musicians crushed into one corner, who played lutes, zithers, small drums, and flutes. The Females themselves had small symbols and their jewellery comprised of small delicate bells that jingled as they danced.

[kintire]

Olivia ignored the bouncers: she was used to this kind of reaction. Instead she swept the room with a long slow gaze, pausing to listen to the dancer's bells.

"That's a nice effect, actually" she remarked to her companion in their own tongue. "Maybe we should try it."

Aelia smiled and nodded in reply, and then began to thread her way through towards the bar, her sleek, supple form moving through the crowd as she assessed those who might be prepared to pay for the drinks she wanted! The redhead moved after her with a little less grace, but just as much sleek confidence.

[Nialldubh]

Arriving at the bar which had seen better days, the cracked wood was gouged by knife and dagger, stained by more than just red wine and in good need of a clean after half a day of spills and discarded food left on it's surface.

The two serving wenches behind the bar where busy, but not take long for one to approach Aelia and Olivia.

"What will it be," she asked idly.

[kintire]

"Wine" Olivia remarks idly, and Aelia nods agreement. They settle at a smallish table and assess the other guests...

[Nialldubh]

The wine was brought in two leather jacks and was placed in the centre of the small table and then the wench took Olivia's money. The wines was Kyrosian and though it tasted watered and slightly weak, it was sweet enough and the crowd was in a good mood as the dancers spun and glided through the tables, some danced upon them, shaking or swaying their round hips to the rhythm of the music.

The patrons where mostly all types, some soldiers from Aquilonia or Ophir, some where Turanian, no doubt from some caravan and where spending a few days in the City before having to return the many leagues to Aghrapur. Most where Zamorian, thin limbed and nimble, rogues, thieves, cutthroats, the lot of them. Some sat with a sinister look in their eyes while others sought only so find a safe place to be, least they had to fight their way out of trouble or end their lives this day in the Desert.

The summer was upon the world and it was hot, very hot. Most where glad when the sun started to fade from their sight. The dancers danced and the Men roared. It was a joyous time in the Tavern of Abuletes.

[kintire]

The two companions fling themselves into the revelry. Aelia is focussing on never paying for another drink, seeking companions prepared to supply them in exchange for dancing and revelry. Olivia follows suit, partly because it amuses her and partly because she does not wish to seem to rich here! In the heart of the desert, seeming wealthy seems unwise.

But most such concerns are soon lost in wine, dance and song

[Nialldubh]

They dances, the patron roar at Aelia with joy and after some surprise, roar in joy at Olivia. Olivia though graceful in dance is not as skilled as Aelia and the blonde Brythunia gains more attention from the crowd, but Olivia's contorting is still far better than some of the newer dancers in the tavern and the Men seen to relaxed around her, but most are still intimidate with her greater strength and prowess, but they can admire beauty and Olivia had that in abundance

[kintire]

The two revel in the atmosphere the music pulsing through them, as does the wine. Many a goblet has been quaffed, and even watered it has had its effects. By the time night has fallen, both have adopted the garb of the dancing girls, and while Olivia still dances amoung the celebrating crowd, Aelia is up on a table nearby, shimmying supple hips to the intoxicating beat

[Nialldubh]

The day passes till nigh comes, though the tavern of Abuletes is still full and crowded enough that the bouncers are forced to bar entrance to some seeking entry. The Brythunian Women interact with the other dancers and patrons of the tavern, roars and shouts of glee continue into the night as the merriment continues!

[kintire]

Olivia seems relieved by the fall of night, the oppressive heat of the day having sapped her strength. As the night goes on it becomes clear she will not be returning home that eve: heading through the Desert after dark is more excitement than she wants out of her day! She throws herself into the revelry with enthusiasm no longer checking the time, although she takes advantage of a respite between dance to enquire of the innkeeper about a room.

Aelia is already lost in the revelry, either more inured to heat or showing it less. She is making contacts among the patrons and listening for gossip on what is going on in this place, other than the obvious!

[Nialldubh]

Eventually the night of the Tavern of Abuletes comes to an end, some stagger out the door, other fall to the floor to sleep in oblivion. The bouncers are paid to keep order, though they truly not care who steals from who, but it is their job and they not get paid otherwise, so there is a certain truce within the tavern that stops the most gruesome thief to keep to himself.

The room upstairs and a simple squared room of rough wooden planks with a bed low to the floor, but wide enough for two or more. A flimsy shuttered window, a peg to hang a cloak, a stool and a one-legged table nailed to the wall was the only other things on the small room.

Olivia and Aelia had seen plenty of the courtesans inducing the Men to part with their coin and leading upstairs through the night. These same Men tried to induce the two Brythunian Woman to join them also.....

[kintire]

Warm with wine and hot from dancing, the two Brythunians are successfully induced...

pausing only to grab the cloak that wraps their possessions the slip upstairs, and soon the bells they wear are jingling to a different rhythm...

[Nialldubh]

The morning arrives and both Brythunia Women are content with their passion of the night. The noise of the busy street out-side the windows awaken them to another warm day.

Both Females wake fit and healthy, the vigour of the night and the sunny day seems to allow them to a certain joy.

[kintire]

Olivia is the first to rise, sliding from the bed and pacing across the floor, brass bells chiming faintly as she moves. She glances around the room with its sleeping revellers, a smile curling her lips. She gazes out of the window, letting the sun wash over her as she revels in the warmth, then she turns and lifts her garments from the bundle in the corner and resumes her chains and silks.

As she does so Aelia also stirs, sliding from between two sleeping thugs, also languid and relaxed. She too begins to dress, and as the other revellers begin to stir, they prepare to descend.

Not to breakfast, yet. For wine and revelry few places are better, but they are not about to trust the food!

[Nialldubh]

The common room is quite, though there is a few customers sitting quietly in the shaded room as the sun come through the high windows down upon a reasonably clean bar. Some thin looking maids clean the tavern, trying to make as little noise least they disturb the patron with any ill effects from last night.

In fact to look at the place, it does not look close to how it looked last night with the packed crowd and naked dancer moving to the beat of the music with swaying hips.

A Zamorian Female with a slight gaunt face was behind the bar and was stacking the leather-jacks on the shelves, after a brief wash in a bucket of water that was in serious need of a change as it had turned a dark brown colour.

She looked at Olivia expectantly...

[kintire]

Olivia smiles at the girl.

"I need to wash. Can I do that here, or hereabouts?"

With the joy of the revelry fading, she was beginning to think wistfully of her cool villa with its bath-house!

Aelia follows her down, nodding, but saying nothing

[Nialldubh]

"The bath-houses are in the Merchant district," he looks Olivia up and down, "you probably could afford it," she hints with the near flutter of her eyes. Even though Olivia was not wearing much, she was dressed in finery that far exceeded to status of the clientèle of this place. The Female turned back to her work of scrubbing the mugs.

[kintire]

Olivia looks very slightly dismayed at being identified as wealthy, though Aelia just looks amused. She tosses the girl a coin and heads for the door, making for the merchant's district and a good bath!