Sand. Nothing but baking hot sand. Of all places, why did they have to abandon him here? Munjid cursed his luck. He scoured his surroundings. To the North and West dunes, but to the East, in the distance, mountains. He started walking, grimacing with each step. They’d really done a number on him. A man steals some bread, sure, take his hand; a man defends his family? Beat him and throw him into the desert to die… Well, he wasn’t dead yet, but he knew he wouldn’t last long.
As the sun set, his pace had slowed to a crawl. Walking through the desert was suicide. At least he was a lot closer to his goal. If he could only make it to the mountains. There had to be water there. On a whim he took a glance behind. His heart sank. Five men, one leading a horse were broaching the summit of a dune he had passed not an hour earlier. Bandits? They had to be tracking him. He mustered all his strength and started to run.
The men were on him before he could make it to the first of the big rocks. Munjid could discern their shouts now, imploring him to stop. Their screams sent a chill down his spine. Then, the unmistakable thunder of hooves. He dropped to his knees and prayed.
“Allah won’t save you now my friend,” the rider chortled.
Munjid opened an eye, “Please don’t behead me.”
“I may still,” the rider cautioned sternly. “I am Abdul Hameed el-Farah. Now, what’s a man with no supplies doing in this place?”
“I’m a criminal,” Munjid spoke frankly after some hesitation, “a neighbour assaulted my wife so I broke his leg… Oh how stupid I’ve been. How will Meena fare now I am banished?”
“A fighter who doesn’t think of the consequences of his actions eh?” Abdul paused a moment. “I’ll level with you, I should kill you on the spot. It would be a kinder fate than dying of thirst out here.”
Munjid looked towards the mountains.
“There’s no rain this time of year. Believe me, you will die.”
Munjid rose to his feet. “Then do it. If you’re going to kill me just get it over with.”
“Shut up you fool, I will not. Join me and my men. We could use another hand in the task we’ve set out to achieve.”
The others had arrived now, rallying round Abdul. Two bowmen, a swordsman and a priest… It was like the start to a joke.
“Your only chance is with us. Stay and die here if you prefer,” Abdul surmised, turning his back.
“No, wait! I’ll join you, I can still fight!”
“Good. You better not let me down.”
Warband Leader: Abdul Hameed el-Farah
Traits:
Slippery
Faithful
Solid Defence
Peasant: Munjid al-Zaher
Traits:
None
Imam: Jareer al-Beshara
Traits:
Resilient
Sage Council
Traits:
Huge Build
Corrective Shooting
Mamluk Recruit: Arshad el-Sader
Traits:
Take Cover
Knife/Dagger Fighter
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