[WitchQueen]

Ahmed has decided to remain home for the time being. This way he can plan his strategy about the current situation. He does not like to do things haphazardly. Now after three days at the Palace, he decides to go to Quetta and speak to Munna. Ahmed has told Ibrahim that they will be making the journey together and they will be bringing Barok home to Masra. It is the morning of the day of Tuesday and everyone is up early to see Ahmed off. At the last moments Ahmed decides that he will also take Karif and Amman on the trip. All of the boys are excited. They will be making the trip on horseback and Ibrahim is riding Bandit, his favorite and Karif is to ride Moon Dancer. Amman will be riding Midnight. Ahmed will be riding his new horse which he calls Excaliber. Excaliber is a brave man with a Sword. (This is from the story of King Arthur.)

It is time to leave and Ishtar, Tezia, Neeta and Abaka bid farwell to Ahmed and the boys and off they go. Ishtar has decided to go to the Rain Forest and view with the Monitor hidden by the WaterFalls. She has Cassem hitch the wagon but Ishtar decides to ride Morocco to the Forest. Once they are at the village of Chief Maboto, Ishtar lets the children play with the Watani children of the village. Malika promises to entertain them and keep watch. Ishtar decides to take Tezia with her to the Water Falls. Ishtar explains to the girl about the Monitor and tells her that she will teach her things that she wants her to remember. The area of the Water Falls is truly scenic. Ishtar shows Tezia the hidden stone staircase that leads to the porthole from the River Styx. Ishtar tells the girl, "This is where I first came to Xanthia. This porthole is from Earth. The Druids would like to transport to other places and cause havoc and destruction. We must help prevent this." Ishtar shows Tezia how the Monitor views where one thinks of . It's scope is vast. Ishtar concentrates on Argos and the slaves. She sees that they are working on what she believes is the buried cave which hides the porthole to Oblikan. Ishtar decides to phone Ahmed and explain what she sees. "Ahmed is it not possible for you to do something to slow them down?" Ahmed decides to create another blizzard and then when it is high he will cause an avalance. This will help. "This is good Ishtar, now I want you to scout Oblikan and search for Bruckos. You have seen him. Pretty soon the trial will begin and the Oblikans are getting ready. I must now go. I'll talk to you later in the day."

Ahmed and the boys are approaching Masra and they head for Omar and Salma's house in the city. Finally at the house Ahmed speaks with Salma. She is happy to have Barok home although the boy would like to make the trip to Quetta. Ahmed wants to stop at the Training Camp and speak with Omar and bring him up to date about everything. Barok wants to go and Salma gives in and lets him. Barok asks his mother if he can go to Quetta with Ahmed and the other boys. "You have been gone for quite awhile now, you know." "I shall ask father if I can go. I would really like to." "Ask him then," says Salma and with that they depart to the Training Camp.

At the Camp, Omar greets them. Ahmed has called ahead. Ahmed wishes to have a talk with Omar and so the bloys are to go to the dining hall while the men talk. Ahmed explains everything to Omar. "Everyone has seen that Bruckos has escaped from Zergos. Rumor says the Druids can fly so the men have decided to post watch on the roofs of the high buildings.. The short wave radios work and they are using them to practice but you must get the shipments to Kruata and speak with the Africans. They are more vunerable than the others."

"Well as soon as I finish up on Quetta, I shall return and plan the trip. What about the explorers?" "The explorers have left and started tracking the main river in the Rain Forest. The other explorers are on Kruata and they will be ready to leave when you arrive," replies Omar. "Let us go have lunch and spend some time with some of the men,"Ahmed tells Omar.

WitchQueen