The traders caravan slowly crept through the towering Shuriman ruins. The caravan was made up of four wagons and about a dozen traders.
Gisha approached them from an ancient pile of rubble. Her sandy cloak and gear certainly looked the part of a roving treasure hunter. The caravan certainly didn’t question her presence out here.
“Hey there traveller!” Shouted one of the drivers. “Lost in the ruins today?”
Gisha made no response. She only approached the caravan non threateningly. However, two dagger sized beams of plasma buzz under her cloak.
“Everything alright? Are you an explorer?” Shouted another driver.
Suddenly, young voices cried out from one of the wagons. Squeals of glee interrupted the otherwise silent ruins. “An explorer!? Here!?”
Three children darted out from the nearest wagon, each dressed in full shrouds and desert cloaks. The merchant back in town had warned her about this. Secretly she had hoped there would not be children here. Her plasma dissipated.
“Yes. I’m a private explorer... and I’m thankful to have found you. I lost my map you see.” Gisha exclaimed.
“Oh my, you are lucky we found you then. I doubt many other traverse these areas.”
The travelers quickly accepted Gisha with immense hospitality. They pushed forward for several more hours until night fell. The band made camp under the stars and proceeded to inventory their wares for the next settlement. Gisha sat by the fire and shared in their meal while they examined every item they intended to sell. Most were of little interest to her. Ancient tablets, rocks with carvings, pottery and slabs. Suddenly, one of the traders revealed a rather interesting artifact.
“Ah... the Sunfire Cape. That dealer this morning gave me a bargain for this. I practically robbed him considering how much we’re going to make off of it.”
The cape didn’t look particularly impressive. Its age was evident enough. More like an oversized rag than a cape Gisha thought. A heavily faded sun could be seen near the top of the artifact but there were few other defining features. “What is so significant about this cape?” She asked.
The trader looked at the cape. “I honestly couldn’t tell you. The fella who sold it to me didn’t know either. But I’ve heard of it previously. Apparently it has great value to the right buyer. A niche market if you will.
“I see” Gisha responded quietly. The children admired it as she pondered her next move.
Later that night, when all but the night watch were asleep. She silently picked the lock to the trader’s trunk. By the time the traders woke the next morning, Gisha was gone. The caravaners wouldn’t notice the cape was missing until they next took inventory. But the missing water bags told them enough.
