Prologue

Having bested a worthy foe, the Swordsman nods in acknowledgement of the Sand Reaper’s gaze.

As the death rattle silences Alramal forever, the Swordsman drops his shield in exhaustion and sheathes the Sword of Vengeance.

Turning to Akh, he asks "Who is Atekhramun? "

Jana is on her knees weeping. This would especially surprise the ranger. Tears are a waste of water.
She manages to pull herself together with a rattling sob and turns, shame faced, to her companions.

Well fought all. We should make camp here and wait out the storm.

After the bodies are searched and moved away, Jana sets up camp, all the while singing softly of the beauty found in her home oasis.

Seeing the broken flask an Jana crying over it, Soro understands the anguish of water lost though he knows that tears are no waste of water. Sorrow and grief must be expressed and there is no higher tribute than to give up your own water.

Well fought my friends! Don't put to much stock in the words of a dead man, nameless one. and then wordlessly helps clear the area of the dead while searching them for anything of value that can easily be taken with them. He leaves the healing and mending to those who actually have knowledge of those tasks.

He nods appreciatively at Jana as he feels the healing power wash over him and Jei'nine.

Akh casts detect magic to see if the Sand Reaper had any mystic relics with him, before realizing the Swordsmans had asked him a question...
"Atekhramun..."

Detect magic fades from his mind...
"Atekhramun...", repeating the name again, "I cannot remember anything specific about it, but I know who can..."
Akh starts casting again, "By the power of the old gods, I summon your spirit and bind you to answer my question. Come forth Alramal !!"

"Well, now we know he's a sorcerer... I need a rest, I have to study my spells..."

An unknown hunter is the most dangerous. We have know idea how he might strike at you next. Though apparently he isn't above hiring raiders and bandits to do his dirty work. I agree we should rest and take shelter from this storm. Maybe we can decide on our next course of action to try and make this hunter more known to us... Soro scratches Jei'nine's neck as they relax against the rocks.

He prepares his belongings for travel, which will be harder without the caravan, but he is no stranger to walking in the desert.

Akh drops his staff, taking one of the shields and the scimtar (if no one else wants it...). "It would be wise for me to learn not to rely only on my magic..." He takes a place near the fire and takes his bag of books, "I'll take first watch, I need to check something anyway..." He takes a book out, paging through it while looking around every minutes or so when everybody is sleeping.

After making camp and singing the songs of her oasis, passed down for generations, Jana is much more composed. Although flying home to replace the water vial is tempting, other considerations take precedence.

I am responsible to get these people through the desert. The ranger would be fine, but the others would not last a day out here. I will not shame my family by leaving people to survive alone while I perform a selfish quest.

Jana stirs the fire. Others would note that she eats no rations. She sets her bedroll and gets ready to sleep.

I will take last watch. Sleep well.

Disdainful of the poor quality of the weapons the raiders chose to attack them with Soro leaves them for the others if they would like them. An ill omen to carry a snake carved from a man. But it might have some importance to this sorcerer. I will take middle watch. Soro wraps the carving in a piece of cloth and adds it to his pack. After Ahk wakes him for his watch he moves slightly away from the camp so the burning embers of the fire don't interfere with his night vision and settles into the rocks and watches for anything that might endanger his companions.

Before going to sleep, Akh gives a few words of advice to Soro, "As you saw today, you have to remember that everybody can be your ennemy, even if you don't know them. Trust no one," Soro is not sure but Akh's eyes seem to flicker for less than a second towards the Swordsman, "not even your closest friends... Everybody has secrets..." Then, tired, Akh goes to sleep.

The nameless fighter watches Akh’s ritual with distrust and unease at the death magic’s practice, though he keeps his own counsel.
From the loot of the bandits, the Swordsman helps himself to a bow and a bundle of arrows.

Then the taciturn warrior sits by the fire and eats his rations wordlessly.

As the others set up watches, he grunts "I will take second watch."

Jana realizes that a ranged weapon may be useful and also grabs a bow and some arrows.