The highest good is water, it nourishes all things and competes with none.

- Aphorism from the Land of Streams.

The desert sun had sunk a little lower in the sky but still beat down, fierce and strong. The glare from the refracted light, rather than the heat itself, was more of a problem. I was forced to shield my eyes, as the white shimmering sands were almost painful to look at.

I found my companions, all of them, outside our borrowed wagon, seeing to the last of our preparations. Laes and Abas Yar, who had brought along our Donkey Patches, were waiting for me. Khalam, however, was not present.

Zariyah had reapplied her mask of proud stoic indifference, showing a mastery of self-control that would have been impossible for me, given the situation. However, I knew it for what it was, simply a flimsy mask. It was the paper shield of the powerless and the only thing that protected her against the reality of her situation.

Elwin, with a knowing smirk, surveyed Zariyah from head to toe before offering a small wave. Kidu, ever reserved, spared her only a fleeting glance before returning to load Patches. Larynda just peeked out at the exotic woman. Her Whispermews also popped out from her clothes to take a gander.

However, Cordelia's reaction was the most startling. Initially surprised at first, her gaze on my new servant quickly shifted to one of disdain, resembling the look one gives upon discovering a stain on a pristine piece of clothing.

Once he noticed our presence, Laes stopped his conversation with Abas Yar and the caravan master’s eyes lit up in surprise and recognition, once he realized who I had brought in tow.

“If you will forgive me, Hera… Gilgamesh, why do you bring one of the Hazigadami?” Cordelia began in a forced voice, only to be cut off by Laes.

“Zariyah, why are you in the company of Master Gilgamesh? Perhaps, on an errand for Gelgor?” the horse-faced man asked her. He was worried, but he hid it well.

Zariyah shook her head and pointed a delicate finger to the roll of paper in my hand, her contract of service. Cordelia narrowed her eyes in reaction, the expression marring her otherwise beautiful features.

“I see, but under what circumstance… that Zlesh always boasted… I mean, Gelgor, was always proud of possessing… your err… service,” the man stumbled in response.

“Yes, Gelgor has decided that she will be traveling with us now. We needed a guide, and she will serve that function.”

“I see. On that note, I believe I have some advice for you as this is no doubt your first time to visit Al-Lazar” he offered.

I simply gave him a nod in return, eager to change the subject.

The man rubbed his chin before answering, “Like all cities, beware the rougher parts. I am sure Zairiyah knows more about that than I. You, and your companions, would do well to avoid the Dust dens. Many of them prey on foreigners who come to dream the Dust dreams, and you will pretty quickly find yourself with no coin, thrown out onto the street. Stay away from the Dust, it is a honeyed trap, a temporary escape, and nothing more,” for a moment the ugly man almost looked nostalgic. “But apart from the dangers of Dust, Al-Lazar has grown fat on its trade and there is much opportunity to be had. The little lady there,” he added, looking at Larynda, “would be most welcome at the Alchemist’s Guild. The mortar and pestle are safer, by far, than an adventurer’s bronze badge. However, my duty to Hamsa, to bring her to this city, is fulfilled. Her destiny is now in her own hands,” he suggested.

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“A man as martially inclined as yourself will find easy opportunity within. Work on the walls as a guard for the council is well-paid and easy, so long as the people beneath the waves are quiet,” he continued, running a hand through oily strands that served as his hair. “However, there is greater opportunity for advancement and wealth by signing up with one of the Shareholder houses of the city. But, that would be difficult without an introduction from the Mercenary’s Guild,” the caravan master mused, unconsciously rolling his shoulders.

“Ah, there is also the upcoming competition, the Festival of the Undrawn, held around this time of the year. The prizes, and notice of the powerful, may well be worth the effort for you to participate, though you would be testing yourself against some of the strongest fighters in the land. Still, I think you would do quite well,” he added, sounding a little wistful.

“This is quite a lot to take in all at once, why did we not speak of this before?” I interjected a little sharply. I could feel my reserves of patience wearing thin already.

“Yes, as for that I had I had wished for…” began Laes, only to be interrupted by the red-haired woman.

“And why must we bring one of them with us?” bristled Cordelia with withering disdain, devoid now of her calm, and looking quite irate.

Zariyah just took these unkind words in stride. Not even batting an eyelid, her features were as untrammeled as a calm lake. I had a feeling I could learn something from that.

Laes turned to Cordelia, and addressed her politely, if not a little tersely, “Lady de Aserac, would it not be best to trust in Gilgamesh’s judgment on this matter? Zariyah’s value is without question, to that I can attest. Knowing that her presence causes the lady offense, I would offer to buy her contract, if I knew doing so would not offend Master Gelgor,” he reproached adroitly.

“I think it best she joins us for the time being as we have no good knowledge of the city, do we?” I asked of my companions, and hearing no denial I continued with my reasoning, “I would not trade away this advantage at this initial juncture. Also, I do not believe it is just to judge someone by their appearance or race,” I added, the last comment the result of years of ingrained education.

I made a mental note to ask Cordelia why exactly she disliked Zariyah’s people. Unlike my world, there might be a very good reason for the existence of prejudices on this one.

“Her presence is fine by me. Easy on the eyes and she could be useful, so she gets my vote. Don’t see the harm in it either way,” commented Elwin, looking at my new servant appreciatively. There was a flash of disdain that crossed Zariyah’s eyes, but was soon smoothly hidden with consummate skill.

To this, the big man simply snorted in reply. The man had grown used to some of the Rogue’s more inane and annoying remarks.

Cordelia looked at the pair, and seeing no support there, instead looked to me with a plea in her eyes. “The Hazigadami are unclean… they are not worthy…” she half-begged.

It was time to take a few liberties, playing the part of the holy man. “Cordelia, you vowed to follow me in all things. Follow me in this. The Goddess wills this to be so… think of this as a test,” I implored, looking her directly in the eye.

She seemed to draw a measure of calm from my words, my command giving her zeal, new direction. She nodded to herself, taking my words in as if they were gospel. “A test… it is a test…” she whispered to herself in a voice filled with revelation.

Behind her, I could see Elwin rolling his eyes. The man was incorrigible.