Hakim fished the note and the treat out of the folds of his long, black robes. He whistled and waited for Nijiri to come to him. The black pseudo-dragon with rainbow scales on her belly and imposing stinger had been a gift from his father on the day that he took over leadership of the council of Waziri. Though Hakim's father had given him plenty of things over the years, it was the most personal gift the old, distant man had ever given him and the one that meant the most to Hakim. As Wazir-al-Akbar, or the prime minister, he carried the most power in the council but that didn't mean he was all-powerful. 
Nijiri landed on his outstretched arm and demanded pets and scratches. The little reptilian was affectionate and the only one Hakim trusted unconditionally. No-one knew, but aside from carrying his messages to people, she also relayed images and experiences back, telling him how his messages and orders had been received. Valuable information that had given him an edge many times in his career. He had never come across another of her species, leaving Hakim to wonder just where his father had acquired the pet. For over 15 years he'd believed she was nothing more than a smart pigeon. But after the message she'd delivered the day before, Hakim had to wonder just where his little companion had come from.
Offering the treat and message to Nijiri, Hakim thought of Fadil and Nuri, the two people that were meant to receive this message. Nijiri chirped and after finishing her snack, she flew off to do her job. Hakim looked out of his window, following the small dragon while a haunting melody with a distinct disjointed rhythm carried on the wind. He took a step back and went to prepare for the meeting. All he could do after that was wait. 

|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|

Nuri looked around, wondering what the sanddevil Hakim wanted to talk about that had them meeting here. She felt rather strange, not wearing her usual robes left her uncomfortable. She had a love for the richer fabrics and the plain mantle she'd donned today was anything but. Not to mention the generic cut did nothing for her figure, showing off her stature and muscles in a way that was far from feminine. At least she wouldn't be in danger of being approached. 
Hakim's little pet had brought her a message and had then taken off again, leading Nuri to believe she wouldn't be the only one Hakim was meeting. She was fairly certain not all of the Viziers would be present or he would have just invited them to one of the regular meeting rooms. 
Excitement had Nuri hurrying, as a fast-paced song sounded from inside the tavern. A piper blew several really high notes while strings, keys and other wind instruments went out of control below the soloist. Every musician seemed to be playing what they liked but they clearly played together a lot as the music didn't derail. 
Nuri sat down at the bar and ordered a sparkly drink to cool her down. The buzz around her lulled her into a feeling of privacy which is why she nearly jumped when someone addressed her: 
"So you got the message too?"
She whipped around and saw the ever mysterious Fadil looking at her. The next-to-newest Vizier sat down beside Nuri and ordered something a little stronger. The young vizier grinned, catching Nuri's disapproving scowl but didn't feel any need to reassure her. After all, the Grand Vizier's councillor was just a tad too used to her authority. 
Fadil looked around and then added: "Nobody else is here. I wonder what Hakim wants to tell us."
"Your guess is as good as mine." Nuri admitted.
Hakim was a decade older than her and though he hadn't married, he would be holding onto power for at least another 2 decades. They were distantly related and secretly Nuri hoped to be chosen as grand vizier when Hakim stepped down. One of her nieces might then take over her position. The timeline was set firmly in her mind, but that didn't mean nothing could thwart her plans. Like for instance Hakim announcing his marriage or taking in a bastard child of his. 
"Maybe he wants our advice on some personal matters." Fadil said, enjoying to push Nuri's buttons.
Tossing the many braids, Fadil turned around and could add: "Oh, he's there."
They watched as Hakim, in faded brown robes that made him look all too plain, strode toward them. He must have let Nijiri at home as the black winged lizard was nowhere in sight. Of course, bringing the unusual pet would undo all the effort they'd put into the disguises. Hakim approached the bartender, asked a few things, slipped some coin toward the man and then gestured to Nuri and Fadil to follow him to a room in the back.
"These walls don't seem like they would hold our words." Nuri said, a brow arched in question.
"The people outside serve that purpose." Hakim responded dryly, "The bartender is keeping an eye out."
"And just how do you know this place?" Fadil asked, curious as Hakim had never looked like someone who went traipsing through the more rowdy neighbourhoods of Schwung. 
Hakim ignored the younger vizier and poured water from a pitcher into three cups. Amused more than rebuked, Fadil sat down and waited, gaze locked onto Hakim. Fadil, though young and new to the government, was far from born yesterday. Powerplay was something the south-western wazir understood well. 
In the end, it was Nuri who asked the question hanging in the room: "What did you want to discuss with us?"
"And how secret is this meeting?" Fadil added, pulling down the non-flattering grey robe to reveal a bright golden shirt below. 
A silence fell and music from the band playing outside filled the absence of noise. Hakim took a sip from his cup, took a deep breath, coughed once and, when all the ways to prolong the inevitable had been used, dropped the bombshell he'd been given.
"I've received an invitation."
Blank stares met him and he continued: "Nijiri seems to have ventured somewhere..." he hesitated, "away from the planet."
Hakim waited and gauged the reactions of two of the people he trusted the most in the government. He wanted them both to give their honest opinion and believed they would. Some of the other waziri would use his words for their own gain, but Hakim believed, hoped, these two would not. 
"How is that possible?" Nuri asked.
"Just where does the note say it came from?" Fadil asked.
Relieved that they did not question his sanity, Hakim pulled out the unfamiliar material.
"It's not paper. It's not parchment or vellum either." he told them, "It's strong though and light. I haven't tested to see if it can be destroyed as I don't want to lose the message."
Hakim handed the invitation over and waited for the other two to give their thoughts. He knew the message by heart. A poster advertising a clutch at a place called the Heimdall asking for candidates. In the top-left corner a message had been written. Though the handwriting was clear and precise, the tone of the message was quite threatening: "Evil lurks and does no-man's bidding. Seek assistance here or face destruction."
"Not the most friendly of messages, is it?" Fadil asked.
"It could be a ruse." Nuri agreed, "What point is there of threatening us and handing us a solution?"
"Although..." Fadil mused, "The material and way it reached Hakim is unusual."
"That's the only reason I'm even entertaining the idea of going." Hakim told them.
"How are you even going to find this Heimdall place?" Nuri asked.
Hakim pulled a chain out of his robes, at the end dangled a small crystal, "Apparently I break the crystal and that's it."
"That screams trap and you know it." Fadil argued, "Are we witnesses or backup?"
"Hopefully the first but maybe the latter." Hakim shrugged, "If things go south, you'll have to make certain no fighting happens among the others."
Fadil grinned, "That will be fun." 
The other government officials didn't always see eye to eye to understate the arguments that took place. Fadil could just imagine Ziad and Tahira clashing. Ruya and Asra would probably keep some manner of authority but Maram, Hakim's other councillor had been newly appointed and lacked the steadfastness such a position required. 
"So you want us to keep everyone in check?"
"Nuri, I was hoping you would serve as my replacement in my absence." Hakim asked.
"I will." Nuri breathed, everything she'd worked for falling into place."
"And what about me?" Fadil asked.
"Please support her." Hakim asked.
He knew that although the vezir of the southwest seemed flamboyant and relaxed, Fadil knew what to do and how to sway a room. Nuri would need the support to be successful and Hakim knew it was all he could do. His absence would cause turmoil but he could not leave this task to anyone else. 
Fadil contemplated Hakim's words. Surely it was a lot to ask. Hakim would owe the diplomatic minister a great debt though and that was an interesting prospect. 
"I expect you to come back to reward me." Fadil nodded.
"I have every intention to do so." Hakim promised.
The three of them talked some more, discussing the current affairs and possible outcomes. After two hours and a light meal, Hakim felt that it was time to step into the unknown. He currently had no way of coming back, but if the crystal worked and teleported him to the Heimdall then logic told him that someone would be able to bring him back. He pulled out the crystal once more and smashed it. 
The room seemed to swirl and a strange, uncomfortable sensation of being pulled in every direction while the music outside turned dissonant and loud came over Hakim. Moments later, his sense returned to normal and he was no longer on Schwung. Neither was he alone. Right next to him, Fadil and Nuri seemed to be recovering from the teleport as well. 
"Welcome to the Heimdall." someone told them, "Please follow me so we can fill out the necessary forms and equip you with the pagers that will let you know when the clutch is hatching...." More explanation followed but it was hard to take it all in. The place was so alien, full of strange materials and that was not even mentioning the view of... stars as far as the eye could see.
Slightly overwhelmed, Hakim and Nuri followed the guide.
"So these quarters, what are they like?" Fadil, who seemed to be coping a lot better than the others, asked.
The guide explained the bunk-style quarters and the alternatives to which Fadil quickly stated: "We'll be needing transport to Mwari Station."
"How would you like to pay for transport?" the guide asked.
Fadil pulled out a purse of gold and gems: "Can we pay with these?"
"Certainly." the guide said.

|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|

A few hours later and half Fadil's funds gone, the trio found themselves on Mwari station, pagers securely fastened to their wrists. There were a whole lot of unusual people running around but since the majority was like that, Nuri imagined they were the odd ones out. She was starting to adjust to the culture shock. Hakim seemed to be recovering too and Fadil just seemed as unfazed as ever. 
"We'll have to look for lodging." she said.
"The guide gave me directions to where we can get temporary housing." Fadil told them.
"We'll have to get jobs to earn money." Hakim figured.
The other two nodded and Nuri said: "Let's get settled in first."
Secretly she hoped the eggs would hatch soon.
"We'll need to find someone who knows how to take us back too." Hakim said, "I never meant to get you involved."
"Bygones are bygones." Fadil shrugged, "It's just bad that we just disappeared."
Hakim agreed. His wits were returning to him and he figured it wouldn't hurt to try to call Nijiri to him. She could clearly travel here and if he could give her a message, things might not be so bad. Whistling in his usual call pattern, Hakim nearly cried out in joy as the familiar black and rainbow pseudo dragon appeared before him.
"I can get the others a message." he said to no-one in particular but knew that all of them would be relieved that they could.
"Off we go to get food and shelter." Nuri said, straightening her back as she felt hopeful.
"You must really love food." Fadil couldn't help but tease, "Imagine what they might eat here...." 

Stats and Bonding stories on each of their individual pages.
What happens in the absence of Hakim, Nuri and Fadil can be read in the Alternate Story.

|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|

|STORY|-;-*-;-|FADIL|-;-|HAKIM|-;-|NURI|-;-*-;-|ALTERNATE STORY|

|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|*°*;*°*|

Lantessama Isle
Layout images found with google
.