The last thing Mathayus saw before he was rendered unconscious by a lone figure with a hood was a small fist heading straight for him. Making sure the boy was out cold, the cloaked person pulled back its hood so they could check to make sure no one had seen them. It was the girl the Black Scorpion had helped to escape the night before. As she looked around, checking to see if the coast was still clear, the fugitive whistled. Around the corner came a protesting camel. "Oh shut up. I know, but he helped me I owe him one. Now get over here and help me." She grumbled. The snow white beast let out one more loud protest before kneeling next to the unconscious boy. "By heavens this kid weighs a ton." The young fugitive grunted trying to lift Mathayus' dead weight onto the camel.
After numerous failed attempts, she ended up stripping the heavy armor from the body before finally managing to tie the boy to the white animal. Tucking the armor into her saddle bags, the cloaked teen looked around, looking for an exit. That's when she spotted some merchants packing to leave the city. With a quick glance at the teenage boy slung across her camel's back, the cautious adolescent engaged them in conversation.
A heated debate with the leader of the caravan, and several minutes later they shook hands. Whistling again, her camel came obediently and was piled high with sheets, rugs, and other soft things. By the time they were done, Mathayus was well hidden. Pulling the cloak hood up again, the young teenager lead her loaded beast through the open city gates, straight past the guards that were looking for them. Safely underway, the girl smirked to herself clearly proud of her accomplishment.
Mathayus awoke well after sunset. Groggy and confused he found himself surrounded by beautiful women, clearly delighted that there young ward was awake. They smiled brightly, giggling here and there occasionally when the handsome stranger glanced there way. Suddenly he was aware that his armor and weapons were missing. "So you're finally awake. Are you hungry?" A man asked entering the tent. A small child followed close behind carrying a plate of fresh fruit and other sweet things to eat.
"Thank you, but where is my…"
"Your things were handed over by your friend. They are right here." The tall, charismatic man waved to a large sack.
Relaxing a little, the young Scorpion asked "Wait how did I get here? The last thing I remember is…"
"Don't strain yourself young one," laughed the merchant handing Mathayus the plate of food. Clearly he meant for the lad to eat. "Your friend told us about that too, said that you'd gotten yourself into a fight at one of the local bars; something about messing or flirting with a married woman."
One of the women next to the young Akkadian saw the confused look on his face and took petty on him. "She said you might not remember her, because she found you when you were already drunk."
"Quite a shame though," added another woman standing near the tent exit. "Seems determined to leave; a beauty like her should stay with the caravan. She'll be a sitting duck for robbers on the road."
Throwing caution to the wind, Mathayus' curiosity got the best of him. He stood up; ignoring his weapon's and rushed out of the tent. There in front of him, he stood face to face with the girl he'd rescued from the palace. "There's no need to rush my boy, your trip with us has already been arranged." The leader called after him.
"You!" was all that the Black Scorpion could manage to say.
End Chapter 4