6 Flamerule 1371

Dear Master Zorthaster,

We are now deep in the heart of the desert after fleeing from a huge band of nomads into a dangerous and forbidding place called the Gap of Skulls. This is a rock formation in the Scimitar Spires. I think the saying "out of the frying pan and into the fire" applies all too well. I feel that we are walking into the jaws of a great monster, pausing only to admire its nice sharp teeth.

In my last letter I mentioned that we had to scare off a small pride of lions at the Colored Waters Oasis before filling our water barrels. We did not camp there but moved off, away from the oasis to an area of dark black sands before camping. We are operating with a set of five overnight watches. Primula has first watch with a trio of Zhents. Kerith and Khemed and two Zhents have second. Oskar, Moradin's Breath, Evendur, and one Zhent have mid-watch. Shane and three troops have 4^th watch. Xan and I have the dawn watch along with a pair of troopers.

The first watch saw a bit of action on the night of 2 Flamerule. A flashing purple globe of magical energy floated up to one of the guards and launched magic missiles, injuring the man. Primula roused the camp and, with the help of our ranger, destroyed the globe with arrows almost before I rolled out of bed.

The following day we made our way across the black sands and into a field of dunes where we encountered four mummies that rose out of the sand to attack us. They were terrifying monsters that left several travelers incapacitated with despair for a few dangerous moments. Fortunately, we destroyed the things, causing them to dissolve into sand, before they could get in close and do much damage. They seemed particularly susceptible to fire, and one fireball did an impressive amount of damage, but still, I hope we don't find more of these horrible undead things. If they had been closer at the beginning of the battle, things could have gone badly.

Later that same day we climbed up out of the dune field to find ourselves on the edge of Atar's Looking Glass. It was a vast plain paved with stone and radiating waves of heat that shimmered in the glare of the day. The sun, beating down and reflecting off the stones, was incapacitating to many of the troops who remain unprotected by spells. The horses also suffered terribly. My friends and I had to drive wagons as several of the Zhents collapsed from the heat. Just when I thought we could not go on, Darvin, in a command relayed through Vestele, ordered a forced march. It was almost impossible, but we added what speed we could, and picked up the pace. This went on for a couple of hours and more soldiers collapsed. Finally, just when it looked as if the horses would give out, we reached a small oasis. Vestele, using red flags on poles pulled from the wagons, marked a safe path to the center of the oasis. She showed us that the place was guarded with spring-blade traps set by previous Zhent caravans. We would spend the next day or two here recovering and resetting traps. There were many spring-blades tripped by unfortunate local wild animals. It seems that the local tribesmen have learned to avoid this spot however.

Vestele gave orders for a very specific layout of wagons and guard posts, both to take advantage of the traps and to avoid accidents by our caravaners. We also learned from Vestele that the Zhentarim once sent an army of ten thousand soldiers out here to conquer the desert. The Harpers roused the Bedine and led the Zhents into a massacre. Since that time, the Black Network has been working on a smaller scale to establish a series of safe routes and oases that they control. I examined the pool at the center of the oasis to see if I could determine what magic was used in creating the oasis, but could not determine much. Khemed says they use magic jugs when creating new oases, so I suppose that it is a version of a decanter of endless water.

That night we were attacked by Shadows that came out of the night. Oskar hit one with his urgosh that created a crack of thunder that destroyed the thing instantly. In the morning four figures completely covered in fancy black robes flew into camp. Khemed talked with them for a while until Vestele arrived with heavy bags of coins. They received the coins, bowed and flew away. We later learned that they were Janni who live out here. The Zhents have deals with some of Janni to protect oases and allow safe passage.

We moved again on the 5^th, planning to be out of the Looking Glass by evening. Before we were out of the rocky plain, we were approached by nearly a score of camel riders. Khemed again was our spokesman, talking with a few of the camel riders. From them we learned that there was a force of hostile tribesmen, the Mahlajai, headed our way. They numbered over 200 warriors. The leader of the friendly Bedine, Sheik Rata of the Artrinn Ruabi tribe told Khemed that they had been watching us and they had seen light signals from our camp, answered by outriders from the Mahlajai. They welcomed us to ride with them, trying to outrun the hostile warriors to the Well of the Chasm. Khemed conferred with Vestele and Darvin before declining the offer. Instead we would force march to the Scimitar Spires. Khemed told us all to keep up or die. Then the Calashite turned to Mahlab and blasted the little guide into the sand with several volleys of magic missiles. The guide's body was left untouched in the sand as we rolled on.

We picked up speed quickly, everyone concerned about pursuit. Before long we could see a long, black line of riders behind us. They were gaining ground much too rapidly. Vestele gave orders to lighten the wagons and water barrels went over the side, some still containing the precious liquid. The gap began to close a bit more slowly, but it appeared certain that we would soon be overtaken. The Scimitar Spires appeared ahead, unguarded by foothills of any kind. We kept moving fast, pushing the horses to the limits of their endurance, heading for the Gap of Skulls. The Bedine kept gaining ground, getting to within a couple of miles before we reached the gap around midnight. They fell back and disappeared in the dark night as the spires, bare fingers of rock thrusting up from the desert sands, loomed out of the darkness ahead of us. There were thousands of the smooth, black spires, some spaced very close together, some, forming the gap, as far apart as 20 feet from their nearest neighbor. Soft powdery sand paved the gap and clung in lacy ribbons to the spires. Touching the lacy powder caused it to fall and drift to the ground. Here and there were white, bleached skulls lying atop or half buried in the powder.

Evendur was visibly shaken by the arrival at this infamous place. Vestele had a momentary blow-up with Darvin before bowing carefully to him and coming back with our orders. Our mission was to clear the Gap of Skulls, making this a safe route for caravans to follow. The Zhents had never gotten through here before. It is our job to be the first. We would then skirt the Shoal of thirst and move on to the Well of The Cloven Rock. I pray to Selûne to guide us safely though this dangerous path.

Your student,

Cedar