Desert rolled on for as far as the eye could see in all directions, and shimmers of air danced playfully above the sand. Arthul wondered: "How did I get this far? Why a desert?" As his thoughts roamed, the nomadic caravan appeared on the horizon. Caring not that it might be a mirage, Arthul ran full tilt towards the approaching vision. He could hear the sounds of voices raised in song. Ishi thought it strange to see a metal-clad warrior in the sands, sprinting towards the caravan. But having travelled with the Barak clan for 8 years now, he was used to seeing the abnormal. The sun was nearing the low-point for the day, and they decided to camp. But first he wanted to meet this strange traveller. Venturing afoot, off his ride, he left the others to pitch tent. A swordbelt slung across the stranger's back was weighted with what looked to be the most bejeweled weapon he'd seen in months. Ever cautious, Ishi placed his left hand upon his scabbard, in his belt, and waved towards the mysterious visitor. Arthul saw the trader moving towards him, clad in the most loose garb ever seen in his lifetime. A swagger in the trader's walk suggested to Arthul that he wasn't a poor hand with the weapon of his choice, held in its place by a cloth sash. So drawn-out from lack of sleep, and food, Arthul didn't wish to find out, in battle, the skills of this trader's war-work. "Hallo," Ishi called, in what he thought the most appropriate tongue for the stranger. The stranger replied, suprizingly in the same tounge: "Greetings, traveller; I am Arthul." "And I am Ishi, of the Traders of Norabi. I saw you crawling in the sand, from a few miles back." Ishi was still wary of the stranger, and wasn't quite ready to welcome him to their encampent... "I am from lands far to the south, my entire party was slain by malady, hunger, and disasters. The 300 strong we were, encountered raging hoards, and giant beasts of this land... Would you be kind enough to let me take water, and rest with your lot?" "We can do that, and perhaps more. We're on a course for a port city to the great western ocean. You may be allowed to accompany us there, and take transport home." And so Arthul was welcomed into the camp of the Norabi. Nishril, the leader of the caravan wanted to council with Arthul, and learn of his travellings. A large feast was held that night, and Arthul regaled the Norabi with the stories of his travels. "We left from our home, in lands to the south, to seek allies in our war against neighbours to the east. Our party was composed of some of the wisest, and most well travelled of our soldiers +++++++++ The next morning, Arthul awoke late, the tents had been packed, and the caravan was nearly ready to leave. He'd engorged himself on good wine, and food. The best in nearly 4 months. "Arthul, as long as you are to ride with us, you will help us, now that you are strong enough. The desert in these parts is a vast wasteland where your fabled giant serpents, and scorpions DO actually pose threat to us. Your skills with bow, and sword will be needed. You will earn your keep with us. We ride hard and fast today, to make for the outpost of Karabudul." "Nishrill, I have no bolts for my bow, nor edge to my sword. How shall I fight with your men?" "We've sharpened your sword, and in your quiver you'll find new steel bolts for your bow. On, now, the sun rises!" The party left, steeds at full gallop. Dunes of sand streaked by on either side of Arthul, as his steed rode the waves of sand. These were horses far faster than Arthul had ever known. They'd covered nearly 60 miles in just 2 hours. Then approached 3 goliath scorpions. "RUN! Take the 3 carts to the rear, and go on the left side! NOW!" Ordered Nishrill, "Arthul, let's see how skilled you are with that sword..." The three scorpions began to take up positions about the scattering group. Arthul lunged under the claws of the nearest of the beasts, to his left, and swung at the joint of the leg. A thud resounded, as the creature took up a new method of walking, lacking part of it's right foreleg. Men could be heard shouting orders to drivers, and dust began to rise as carts shuffled, and people doged the attacks of the titans. Arthul grabed a shawl off of the turban of the nearest nomad, and tied it to a bolt of his crossbow, and his belt. He fired the linked bolt at the underbelly of the scorpion. The bolt lodged itself neatly between plates of the armor of the beast. The creature began to move more frenzied. Arthul climed the shawl-rope, whilst being dragged and swung about. Nomadic fighters were goading the giant beast away from the rest of the caravan, attempting to escape. Arthul unsheathed the jeweled sword, from his back, and began to slide it into the spaces between the scorpion's armor. Left and right the creature began to toss. Arthul had to use nearly all of his strength to just hold onto the belly of the beast. The tail-spine of the scorpion lashed beneath him, trying vainly to remove him from his post. A quick stab with his sword at the right time, and Arthul has ensnared the tail upon his blade. Firmly grabbing the tail, he inserts the spine into the gaping hole below the scorpion, and squeezes upon the bulbous venom sacs. The creature writhes in pain, and collapses. A swift slash of his dagger frees Arthul from his belt-sash, and he rolls free of the collapsing beast. The other fighters had successfully driven away one of the scorpions, but one more still remained. And it appeared to be getting more viscious. Ishi removed the tail-spine of the slain beast, and ran at the other scorpion, throwing the tail-part accurately into the "mouth" of the giant arachnid. A shudder, and a twitch rose forth, and the giant collapsed, as well. "I've never seen someone kill one of the scorpions so quickly before. That was incredible." Ishi remarked to Arthul. "I thought sure I was finished, when clinging to the belly of that one, but my luck has remained true since I've left home, it seems."