The Al'wari Compound, PM First

[Jin Al'wari]

Jin entered the compound just after sunset. A cloth was wrapped around his neck, but was not presently covering his face. The hood of his cloak was down, and it was easy to tell he'd been hit with a sandstorm on the way in. The tiny particulate clung to his hair, face, and clothes. None in the compound gave him a second glance, unlike most of the now new city guards. Most of the women in the Al'wari family, or in their employ had known the man for years. Even during the last eight, where Jin had been away most of the year, he had been called upon to participate in almost every raid the family took. While he was a male, he still garnered respect from any of the women who'd seen him at work.

He did not travel to his room first to set down his things, instead making his way directly towards the Matron's state room and quarters. Presenting himself was his first priority, as while she could not deal with him physically, she could make his life a living hell. It only took him a few minutes to navigate the halls of the building, finding the Matron at dinner in her state room with her two most trusted captains. Jin dropped to one knee and dropped his gaze as he entered the room,


"Matron Al'wari, my apologies for interrupting your dinner, I only just arrived." At first there was no response from the woman in charge of the powerful gerudo family.

"Next time I summon you Jin, find a horse," The woman paused for a moment to inspect the living weapon her mother had created, "For now, go find something to eat and a bath. You look and smell like hell. I have a special assignment for you, but I'd like you to be presentable when we discuss the matter." She returned to her food, allowing the her last words to be interpreted as a dismissal.

"Yes Matron, as you wish." Keeping his gaze down, he stood and turned to leave. There was no point in arguing, and a chance to get the sand out of his hair was a welcome one. He left the room silently, and made his way towards the room he'd spent most of his early life in. It was small, but decently furnished and was at least 'his' place. He changed into the looser linen clothes he wore within the city, leaving everything but his swords as he went to find the bath house. He would take a while to soak, as he had a bad feeling about the Matron's intentions for him and wanted to be as calm as possible when he had to deal with it.

[Jin Al'wari]

Jin returned to the Matron's state room some thirty minutes later, appearing much more presentable. Aside from the change of clothes he had also swapped out the sheathes for his swords, opting for a set of more showy gilded and jewel encrusted pair. He was essentially a trophy of the Al'wari house, and he had been taught from an early age that he must appear as such whilst in the compound or representing the family. He nodded to the captains as he entered the room, and bowed to the Matron herself. As much as he had needed something to do, he wanted to have this business over with quickly. It would not be long before word spread of his return, and he did not wish to deal with another scene within the city's confines.

"I have done as you have asked Matron," he said quietly. "My apologies for the delay in getting here."

"I did not summon you here so that you could apologize Jin. There is something that I would have you do for me. If you complete the task efficiently, I may see fit to give you some extra boons on top of what you already have." The Matron moved from behind the map table to inspect the warrior, raising him to a full standing position by lifting on his forehead with one finger. She looked over him critically, close enough that most would have been uncomfortable. "I see that you have managed not to damage yourself too much in the past eight months. This is good, as you will need your strength for the task I am to put to you." She took a step back, and gave an annoyed or not wholly satisfied look.

"My niece, Milea, has become something of an issue. She is young, but shows much promise in her fighting abilities. She has lost respect for her tutors, and with Captain Bal'aa now deceased, none are left here that can temper her arrogance." The Matron turned then to face the map again, looking it over absently, "I would have you take her with you, and teach her what you know. Having to learn from a male will likely cut her ego down to a more manageable size. She has been in two fights with other families in recent months, and I cannot risk her actions causing a rift between us and our allies. If you find that she cannot cope or change, deal with her as you will." She gave a derisive snort then, "Family is all well and good, but I will not tolerate rampant idiocy while I am Matron."

Jin's expression remained impassive and submissive, but the cogs in his mind were whirling faster than they had in months. He had considered manners in which he could further himself constantly for the past eight years, for without the gerudo matriarchs to look over his shoulder he was free to formulate his own plans for himself. Still, opportunities were difficult to come by given the restrictions placed on him. None outside the desert witches wanted anything to do with the twilight fueled magic that burned in his skin, either to remove it or to improve upon it. This new development would move forward his plans significantly. He doubted the Matron had any idea the power she was placing in his hands, which meant she would never see the blow coming.

"I will do ask you ask," he said with a slight inflection of grudging submission, "Though, I am curious as to what you would have me do to let you know when I am finished with her."

"I will be the judge of when you have completed your task," The Matron shot back sharply, "And to that end I will summon you periodically to check on your progress. For now, I have no further use for you. Do what you will for the evening, and collect your charge in the morning."

Jin nodded, and turned sharply to leave. His silent footfalls took him quickly from the room, and while he normally would have gone out into the city now was the time to better assess his situation and decide where his next steps would take him. The next two months would perhaps be the most important of his life, and required that he move up his previous plans by years. He would have to be quick and decisive if he was to get things the way he wanted.