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A Letter from Rihana

Greetings my pets…

Since we are traveling through my homeland, I thought it best if I share with you some helpful hints. It is a beautiful land, but it has its own ways and customs that must be respected.

First and foremost, it is vitally important that you do not wear the holy symbols of your faith open. Keep them with your heart, as they always should be, but keep them hidden from view. And absolutely do not disparage or otherwise suggest that Ilâh is not the one true god. Death can only follow from such. I know it isn't true and you have my sympathies on this - but this isn't a crusade. We are not here to convert an entire nation. The people of Târiq have worshipped Ilâh for as long as there has been a Târiq, and they shall continue to do so after we leave.

I do not relish any of this, myself.

Further, you must absolutely NOT mention Shi'ah EVER while we are still within the bounds of Târiq. Hold your tongue and do not speak of her.

Hopefully I have scared you quite enough. The rest should be fairly mundane.

While I truly wish I could see my family in Istawa, we are best served by avoiding the capitol city. Another time shall I play guide to my breathtaking city.

But we will approach close to it, which may bring us into contact with some Taqwa. All that I related above - these are the people who will enforce it with fervor. They are fanatical servants of Ilâh, and they are slaves to the letter of his laws. They will be very apparent and we shall avoid them with all possible skill, but should we encounter them, please be silent and let me do all the talking. Take a vow of silence every time you are in their presence.

More likely than the Taqwa, we shall encounter the Fire Pony Tribe. They are barbarians, as well as the world's finest horsemen. As Lobar can attest, the main point of caution with barbarians is that they will have their own customs, and they will dislike arcane magic. But they shall be much preferable to encountering Taqwa.

The last word of caution is the traveling city of Ghaib. I have no plans whatsoever to come within even 50 miles of Ghaib, and the greater chance is that we won't. But if for some uncontrollable reason we MUST go there, everything I have cautioned you about thus far will increase ten-fold. If you steal something, you will lose your hand. If you speak of other gods or ill of Ilâh, you will lose your tongue. And there are a myriad ways to have death pronounced upon you. The Sahabah are not an evil people, they are just very, very fanatical.

If we must go into Ghaib, the women will need to cover and veil themselves completely, and one of the men will need to speak for the party. If and only if, mind.

I DO NOT wish to venture anywhere near Ghaib… but I must prepare you for any unlucky eventuality.

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Bring water, warm clothes for the evening (it gets rather cool at night), and light clothes for the day.

Otherwise, enjoy the beauty of the desert.

Your Dear Friend,

Rihana