Kassim nods to Ophelia seemingly impressed by her grasp of old Ajaran.

"The artifacts are a book of spells and a ring that enables the wearer to cast these spells of truth and healing.  Our ancestor Meneptah was a great priest and healer of Sol-Aten. These artifacts, my niece has assured me, we need to curry favor at court and show the enemies of Queen Regent on her own council as well as the enemies of Aten," Kassim explains. 

"They reveal the truth, " Adhida begins, "surely the Queen will see reason. We all know the legend and how Meneptah cast out the darkness in his time," she adds her tone and expression passionate!

Truth is trickiest, Glyph thinks to himself. I wonder has so blinded the Queen to the truth . . . and currying favor for House Barakah-Set? Enemies must be deeply buried within the Anjaran hierarchy, indeed. 

The half-elf helps himself to another round of bready-thing and preserves, happy to have Ophelia asking and fielding questions, and fully aware that her academic skill will likely be more useful than anything he can think of to say in the moment. As he listens to the back-and-forth between the scholar and the Baraka-Sets, he looks to see if the playful tressym is about.

What is with nobles and their love of politics. No matter as long as I get paid "How much can pay me if I complete this task? Can you give us a map? Can you tell us what dangers to expect as we are new to this land, and are there others in search of this artifact?" asks Jada

Glyph stops, mid bite, and looks at Jada with a slightly impressed expression. He appreciates the githzerai's forthright attitude, not necessarily because Glyph wants answers to the questions Jada asked, but because the half-elf has likely never state something so plainly in his life. Well, nothing he can recall, at least. He "jams" another crumpety-thing and slowly raises it to his mouth as he watches the githzerai and the Barakah-Sets converse.

Kassim burst out laughing at Jada barrage of questions.

"I will pay you nothing outworlder," Kassim says curtly.  "I didn't hire you Maitland did," he reminds Jada. "You must have been offered something quiet large to have traveled all this way, " he adds shrugging as he adjust his robes on his shoulders.

"I....I will pay you if Maitland's offer isn't good enough now they are incapacitated," Adhida exclaims moving away from the table with such force her chair makes a herendous shrieking sound as she stands! "These are our guests regardless uncle.  I...I will have the map return to me and we will get under way regardless of your support or understanding," the young mage adds looking over the party now.  "Please, join me," she begins again.  "Maanai, " the mention of Maanai makes Kassim visiblely scowl, "awaits us in the market collecting supplies, " she adds before storming out of the dinning room!

Firebrand manages to restrain himself from snapping at Kassim. Whether he was the one who hired them or not, Kassim will presumably benefit if the party succeeds in their mission. It is a bit of a struggle, though, and it's likely that his scaly features show his annoyance.

"You are most gracious, madam," the Dragonborn says to Adhida when the mage offers to arrange payment if Maitland cannot do so, giving her a genuine smile and a bow of his head.

Jada slams his fist on the table and seriously considered grabbing his halberd and splitting Lord Kassim in twain, but is mollified by Adhida's comment "Thank you Lady Adhida and may a snake bite you in your sleep Lord Kassim." He quickly grabs his pack and follows Adhida out of the room. 

Glyph's eyes widen as he takes a sloth-slow bite from the crumpet, as Jada storms out of the room. The half-elf quickly recovers and smiles at Lord Kassim. "Please do forgive our githzerai friend, Lord Kassim. I can't speak to Jada's own experience, but I've recently discovered that relationships tend to be much more . . . transactional? . . . where many of us come from. I must admit I've had my own missteps and misunderstandings while transitioning a more Anjaran mentality. In fact, it reminds me of the time I accidentally called a minotaur 'portly,' and, as you might imagine, my lord, it was not well received. Loyal, loyal companions, minotaurs, but about as hot-headed as they come."

After reducing an entire culture to simple stereotypes, he changes the subject. "Anyway, thank you so much for this delightful breakfast, Lord Kassim, it was quite a spread. Any other questions before we depart, comrades?"

Glyph waits to see if Ophelia or Firebrand have got any other questions for their host.

Kassim just waves the party off returning to his coffee and contemplation. 

As the party follows Adhida they find her striding to her work shop. 

"You may find Maanai in the Sunrise Ward on the outskirts of the city.  It's the nearest market to the desert gates. My cousin is well equipped to make bargains but if you require specific items please don't hesitate to ask, " Adhida explains drawing a map quickly and handing the paper over to Jada. "He's....really a kind man. I think his loss of rank is praying on his better judgment, " she says to the gith handed him the rough map of the city with a soft smile. "I appreciate you, all of you joining this quest," she adds bowing deeply to the party now. "I will meet you there after collecting my own things for the journey, " she finishes with a nod before she begins to wander around the workspace having conjured a chest out of thin air to place various items in witha silver wisp of smoke trailing off the chest as she moves. 

"Well lets head out to the market." says Jada a bit more calmed now as he examines the map. Once he gets his bearings he travel towards the market in the Sunrise Ward. Blasted noble, glad to get out of that house.

Ophelia finishes her tea and dismisses her mage hand. "If I might proffer my advice, one noble to another, Lord Barakah-Set," she says in a gentle but reproachful tone. "Politics is not a simple calculation of debts, nor is it a matter of rights and wrongs. The character of a noble, how he treats others both above and below his station, determines his standing among his peers. It is a lesson writ time and again upon the face of history: A lord who repays service with scorn soon finds himself short of friends. And from what I can tell, house Barakah-Set is wanting for friends."

She stirs her tea idly. "Sometimes there is cause for a firm hand. Keep caution it is not met in kind." She finishes her meal. "Once again, my lord, I thank you for your hospitality." She rises, gives a graceful and formal bow, and follows her companions into the street.

Kassim nods to Ophelia but doesn't speak. Ophelia finds the party tasked with a map and to find Maanai in the Sunrise Ward. Jada uses the map and the party finds the Sunrise Ward quickly using their rented cart to reach it. Following the directions of others the party finds Maanai haggling with a sand ship captain for passage to Dendarah.

"Ah," Maanai says looking over the varying emotions on the party's faces. "I see breakfast went as well as I assumed," they add with a chuckle. "My uncle isn't the dipolmat he once was and was never remotely the most capable of our family but oddly he survived his betters," they quip their tone somber before they let out a sigh. "So, Adhida told me she's packing up her things and will arrive shortly," Maanai explains their mask now a soft gray, like their robes, trying not to advertise their wealth. "This might be our best bet to reach Dendarah in one piece," they explain gesturing at the sand ship.

Jada admires the sand ship. This is a fine ship that looks well made. "Greetings Maanai. Yes I am glad to be out here instead of being with Lord Kassim. This ship is amazing, but we do need some supplies before we depart. Extra water and tents." he then looks to his companions "Is there anything else we should get before leaving?"

"Well, we have the water and all we'd need to survive the journey on the ship. The ship itself includes sleeping quarters below deck," Maanai replies gesturing at the deck. "So, what else might you need," they ask looking over the party sound genuinely excited to shop! "This market is full of items for traveling to the old kingdom across the Scorched Sea," Maanai adds.

"As fine as this ship is I still want the tents in the event we have to leave the sand ship for some unknown reason. Then a healers kit as adventurers are prone to injuries. Holy water as there might be a chance we run into the undead. Bag of caltrops, hunting trap, and manacles" says Jada. I am not sure what we will run into so best be prepared.

"Sounds like a good idea, " Maanai nods gesturing for Jada to follow him.

OOC We can fade to black and just put items, within reason,  into PCs inventories or we can RP. I will leave it up to y'all!

Before they leave, Ophelia sends a message to Arduus and the professor, updating them on what's happened and inquiring after the professor's health. She has Minerva carry the message back to the tavern before they depart.

Glyph jauntily walks into the Sunrise Ward, having completely recovered his verve. Eyeing Maanai and the airship, he gives an emphatic nod of approval. "What an excellent vessel to begin our trek! It makes for an exciting beginning."

The half-elf walks about the airship, clapping any crewmembers on the back and sharing a joke or quick story with them. He hopes to impart some of his bombastic positivity onto any of the crew responsible for helping with the ship. Oddly enough, he doesn't ask if the people about the ship are crewmembers, so, if they're not, he's simply sharing some optimism with the locals. He returns to the party with his usual wry smile, as he places his hands on his hips.

"I think, my friend, I'm good on supplies," he says to Maanai.

"I could take a broad-rimmed hat, I suppose. The sun is quite bright, just as my friends warned me it would be." He indicates Firebrand and Jada. "Other than that, I'm not too particularly worried. I've got plenty of rations and whatnot."

The half-elf shakes his bag gently, glass clinking. 

OOC  give me lists through PMs either privately or in the group PM!

A quick perusal of the market gets the party the extra gear they need as Ophelia sends Minerva on the errand. The shopping time passes as Adhida arrives to join the party.  She looks radiant in her light pink robes and matching headscarf. Her dark hair is braided tightly and tucked beneath her head covering witha thin mask covering her nose and mouth. Adhida wears no jewelry and only holds a plain staff in her hand. Along with her mauve robes she wears a plain brown leather satchel at her side. It's strap across her body secure from pickpockets. She looks like a local, as cliché as that might sound, and her power unreadable but for the slightest flicker in her violet eyes! As the party makes it's way back to the sand ship, they learn is called The Harpy, it's now being crewed by three individuals plus the captain. The captain a tall, harpy eagle wearing loose fitted clothing in shades of blue wearing an amulet of Aten. Her feathers are an opalescent white flecked with gold that looks like gemstones shimmering in the late morning sun! She greets the party warmly with but doesn't linger. She moves to a wheel as the crew, all female aarakocras in various shades of gray and white, help the party load gear. After the gear is loaded they move to their positions onboard to set sail.

"Rooms below with open doors are available," the captain calls out to the party as she consults a map whole Maanai gestures at it too.

The party is able to move about freely as the crew gets the Harpy underway. Before going below deck Ophelia however finally sees Minerva returning with a letter in response to her own. The letter in summary explains that Adruus will continue to care for Maitland who is still comatose.  The monk wishes the party the best of luck and the guidance of Ioun in their journey ahead! Enclosed within a small leather sack attached to Minerva's leg Ophelia finds two smooth obsidian stones. Reading this letter and looking at the stones Adhida approaches Ophelia with a concerned expression.

"Everything all right," Adhida asks Ophelia removing the cover from her mouth to speak.

As Ophelia looks at Adhida she might be surprised to notice Ameen isn't with her or at least isn't currently visible!

Jada heads down and checks out the cabins. Satisfied he heads back up on deck and watched the scenery go by and keeping track of any landmarks or strange animals. Well we got a taste of the city now lets see what the rest of this place looks like.