The Suns were coming down and so Ahmina made her move. If she could find Coanua Sietch she might be able to get information that might help the hapless auditors.

But were was it? She also had to make sure she was not seen as she moved across the dunes

[Move 3 (Stealth) to have departed unseen. Complication level 18.]

Kannon wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:31 pm

[Move 3 (Stealth) to have departed unseen. Complication level 18.]

(Does the Fremen trait help my unobtrusive talent apply?)

[Not this time.]

The fates were not with her

[Move 3 (Stealth) to have departed unseen. Complication level 18.] Move 7+ Faith 8+ subtle step tn 15: 3#1d20 18 2 20

Only after a moment did she realise what she'd done wrong: her step, adjusted to the city, hadn't turned back enough to irregularity. Her feet on the sand had created a rhythm. And that meant...

[2 Complications lead to...]

She had to make a knife-decision now. Either to run for the rocks, or to pull out the maker hooks from her fremkit, and hope for the best!

[Failure means her departure had been seen, unless she decides to succeed at a cost; also, an Advancement Point if failure is kept!]

Erg

She could ride the worm...but she was too close to camp and her cover would be blown instantly.

So she swallowed her pride and ran for the rocks

The hissing and sizzling of silica behind her was intensifying, as was the spice odour. That was a good time to pray to Shai-hulud...

[Move 3 for running up there on time, this cannot succeed at a cost.]

Run, threat for dice move/faith tn 15: 3#1d20 1 1 3

Ahmina wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 09, 2021 9:05 am

Run, threat for dice move/faith tn 15: 3#1d20 1 1 3

[5 Successes --> 2 Scene Momentum; please note Threat spending in the Hoard.]

The sense of danger quickly reminded Ahmina of her desert lessons, and she chose the sands expertly, gaining speed by sliding down the dunes, hitting the rocks before the sandworm had a chance to suck her into its sand vortex. The worm changed direction soon after, not testing her hideout by bashing into it. From the safe vantage point, she picked out the reason of that. The monotonous 'lump-lump-lump'. Someone had set up a thumper.

Ahmina looked around...trying to see where the sound came from

It was coming from the southwest, across the small tongue of a bled the separated Chin Rock from the rest of Fale Wall South. The sandworm was rushing in there, lured by the thumping, the static of its passing as awing as a storm. It wasn't a big one, just short of 100 metres. The Old Man of the Desert she couldn't have outpaced, nor would it get lured in the semi-enclosed sand. Still, she was taught to be awed every time she watched one.

There was nothing she could do but wait at the moment. Still, she took a moment to be grateful for the thumper and for God's hand in her survival.

Eventually, she'd see a sandrider mount the worm; his cloak was in the colour of the worm, so there was little chance anyone could have noticed it and Ahmina only did because she knew where to look. The rider would lead it deeper into the Erg where there were no settlements.

[Discipline 4 to not be surprised.]

She was very well surprised

discipline+faith tn 14 diff 4: 2#1d20 15 10

"If I were a Harkonnen you'd be dead, woman." The voice preceded a man that emerged from the rocks. "You run like a kangaroo mouse." For once, it didn't sound like a compliment. The man was tall for a Fremen, but little else could be said because he was desert-dressed, his stillsuit hood on, only eyes visible. "But you don't walk like one. What's with your sand feet?"

She turned her head, on edge, before relaxing a bit ''Then I thank the winds you are not one'' she replied ''I needed to supress my step to do work in the city. It took longer for it to come back then I expected''

"Liet sent word to Gara Kulon of someone with the offworlders. Must be you. It seems staying with them corrupts our ways?" The man sounded sceptical. He showed a bit more of his face. "I am Otheym."

She nods

''Subakh ul kuhar, Otheym. I am Ahmina.'' she glances back at the pass ''It was necessary to supress my step less some learn it's rhythm. The less they know about us, the better.'' she sighs ''But they must get to know some things. That is why I need to find Keke the Lame''

"Subakh ul kuhar. I am not sure how Keke could help you. He stays away from everything and squeezes us all for the fabrics. I often think he is more smuggler than Fremen." Otheym shrugged. "But we all do Liet's bidding. We're on a razzia now, it's my naib Bikouros who has sent me here after he decided to take the worm off your path. We are far from home, but we must take revenge. Such are precepts of istislah."

''I seek his knowledge...I know the Harkonnen have been acting up here...moving things. If this falls in the purview of the audit then the outworlders must be made aware.''

she explains

(ooc: what's a razzia?)

"Then there's no helping it. I don't know where Coanua is, but I know where his men come to trade, with us, or the smugglers."

[Razzia is a piratical raid done by Fremen, aimed at both killing and taking resources that indemnify them for whatever loss they've suffered.]

''Can you guide me there after your razzia? I can lend my aid if you need it too''

"How much time can you stay away from your offworlders?" Otheym was considering something.

''They may depart tomorrow. I might need to follow but I could always ride a worm if needs be''