GAME

The chubby male guard searching Sanaa is inappropriately touchy, but finds none of her hidden pockets.

Jewel has not met Hassan Sa'id before now, but she's heard of a blue-bearded guards captain who thinks much of himself and naught of anyone else. A man who lusts for power, a conniver and sadist. The name comes to her. Yes, this man who commands rough treatment with such a calm and sneering demeanor. A man to not be trusted.

The female guard, whom Jewel thumped into, pats down Tobias Moon and finds nothing.

"You're free to go," Hassan Sa'id says smoothly. "Remember our forbearance."

Released from the rug shop, you emerge through the side door into the bazaar.

As you move among the tents of the bazaar, the afternoon sun heats your heads.

Tobias becomes aware that someone is following you. @mathias0077

Golden Ahm-Rani spots a small, graceful person in women's garments who keeps looking away from him when he glances back. She is keeping a distance far enough to disappear if he tries to confront her.

You arrive at the far side of the bazaar, where there are a few restaurants including the Soup House. Odors of salty chicken broth emanate from the open storefront. There are tables and benches both under the roof and in the open space in front of the restaurant. Several tables are occupied by people talking loudly. Nobody is paying any attention to you - other than the eager host, who approaches as you stand looking at the scene. "Table? Right here," he urges you with a great big smile.

Since you want soup, you sit. A few moments later, Golden glances around and sees the follower standing at arms' length. Quiet as a cat. And eyes to match.

"Let's talk," she says to Golden specifically. Then looks around at all of you. "May I sit in the open spot?"

Food is brought and the strange woman eats with delicate, well-bred dignity. Notwithstanding that, you can see she's hungry.

"My name is Sabiha," she says after daintily wiping a speck of cheese from her lip. "I was one of two thieves who stole the jewel from the bey’s palace. My partner Osan and I were supposed to bring the emerald to a contact from Zadj, in the southeast, old enemy to Zul-Bazzir. But Osan betrayed me. I believe he fled east into the desert to the meeting place, at the ruined temple of Yadar. 20 miles east from the Sunrise Gate. The contact should be there by nightfall tomorrow."