Seeking the Caliph (Ifrit, Halldor)

[Ifrit]

Time and Date:: 05 February, 12:13pm
Weather:: Relatively sunny, chilly
Previous Threads?:: Ice and Foam

After registering, if one could call it that, at the port as a trader and letting them log his ship, the foreigner made his way into the town proper. Throwing his hood over his headdress and hair, he did not seem bothered by the looks he was getting from some of the folk there. To be sure, most had never seen anyone with his odd dress and unusual complexion before and he never really took it to heart. He'd been to enough ports and enough different countries and got the same reception that at this point it was more or less second nature to him.

Politely introducing himself to several large men, he was directed to the place he might find the chief of the village, or the caliph as he would know it. The giant building loomed before him and he walked up, throwing his hood back as he entered the giant building. It was not hard to locate the man he was looking for as he seemed to be veritably mobbed by folk asking for things, telling him things and demanding conversation about yet other things.

Though when he entered, a sort of hush fell over the hall as everyone noticed the man, wearing strange, odd colored weapons in the open and looking at their leader. He had his hands folded before him and very obviously was not making anything in the direction of abortive moves towards the large man. The foreigner came as close as he dared, able to get his voice rose enough to be heard, though he did not need to try very hard for how quiet it seemed. Firelight flickered all over as well as the sun streaming into the hall.

The man cleared his throat. "Revered Caliph..." He paused for a moment. "Chief, Halldor. My name is Aashiq ibn al-Salah ibn Reyhan. I am known as Ifrit." His voice was deep and respectful, if a bit accented. "I come from a land to the far south known as Egypt and I have a matter of import I would like to discuss with you." The man's dark eyes scanned over the crowd and he moved just a step closer. "In private, if it would be all possible to intrude on you, revered Chieftain."

[Halldor Frodison]

Halldor was busy sorting out affairs with the farmers that had arrived with extra stocks for storage when the stranger appeared. Suddenly the crowds around him grew quiet. He heard attention focused elsewhere. As he turned towards the door the crowds parted to reveal a strange stranger. He held himself as if to not cause trouble, but it was clear as the sunlight that he ws not a Viking.

Berk sometimes had strange travellers from afar, but they were few an far between. Only those in the archipelago really knew where berk was. Halldor was aware that compared to the big world, Berk was very small in a very big ocean.

The stranger spoke softly. He said some strange word, but appeared to correct himself. By the time he got up to the great hall he wasn't surprised that the outsider knew of the Chief's name. Unsurprisingly, the man has a long name like nothing he had ever heard.

Halldor was wary out outsiders, but he had to remain respectful. Innocent until proven guilty, after all. Though most were good-hearted, there was always the few that appeared nice but turned out to be criminals, or were generally nasty people.

The Chief let him speak as he introduced himself. It seemed he was here to trade, but wanted to discuss the matters privately.

Halldor nodded. "Welcome to Berk, Ifrit. Come, walk with me." Halldor decided to take hmi outside where he could discuss without their words echoing all over the hall, and so that the man could also show him his worth, if he was indeed a trader. Even if he was by himself, he was sure the watchful eye of Carrier, his dragon, would come to his aid if it turned out that the man was here for malicious intent.

[Ifrit]

Ifrit studied the man at length, as if sizing up his impulse to charge at him with a blade for being a foreigner, or turn him out, outright. He nodded gratefully as he followed the man outside. His hands remained at his sides at all times, well away from the handles of his blades though he was quite wary himself. Outside in the sun, the man bowed from his waist as they walked.

"Forgive me my impulsive entrance, but time doesn't allow for much else. For lack of a better word, I am here to trade. Wares that are likely not common to this part of the world." He reached into a pocket, slowly, keeping his hands in full view, and pulled out some soft, brightly colored clothes that were wrapping his peculiar but delicious smelling smoke mixes. He offered them to Halldor to inspect. "Shisha mixes. Unique blends of molasses and tobacco and flavor I carry the proper apparatuses for using. But also..." The man took a deep breath, looking up at the sky, before he looked back at him. His eyes seemed to carry a ton of emotions, whirling in his dark eyes in a maelstrom.

"At least temporarily, I seek asylum. I would forgo the details, but I know that you need them." He stepped closer, but not enough to be threatening, just enough to be able to lower his voice without too many people hearing him. "I was outcast from my homeland. A rich, noble woman expressed her desire for me and I rejected it as she was married. Scorned, she went to our chieftain- the Caliph- and suggested that I forced myself upon her instead. The Caliph came to me the night before my scheduled execution and offered that if I were to leave the land and not return, that I could avoid the blade." He exhaled gently. That was true, but it wasn't the whole story. Ifrit couldn't afford to tell him the whole story just yet.

"Believe when I tell you, I do not seek to bring harm or trouble to your people. And if you wish me to leave, I am gone, no questions, no ill wishes or feelings. But I have not been able to find a proper home for over a year now, aside from my beloved ship Ghaniyah." He looked at Halldor, his head down in a show of reverence and begging the court for mercy. "Could I perhaps have the opportunity to earn the privilege here?"

[Halldor Frodison]

The stranger explained himself. Halldor nodded as he mentioned he was a trader. He spoke of strange objects that he wasn't familiar with, but considering the man was definitely not a Viking, perhaps they had different words for things, and different objects where he came from. "Hmm." Halldor started. "I'm sure there will be villagers who may be interested in trading with your products."

Ifrit glanced at the sky, and Halldor followed his gaze. He could see a pair of dragon riders in the distance, sharing a cargo of some sort - probably wood. The stranger looked back at him. Halldor had been dealing with people for long enough now that he could tell the man was wanting to say something, but seemed troubled about it.

He confessed, and Halldor listened. It seemed like he was wrongly accused. The man didn't seem like he had ill intent - but he was aware that some people were excellent liars. He lived on an island full of dragons, after all. But he was here to trade - and he seemed honourable enough.

"I see," Halldor begun in reply, after a moment's thinking. "You are most certainly welcome to trade, there are a few traders like yourself on Berk right now as well. I can set you up with lodgings, if you so desire. We have some empty houses. But keep this in mind," He paused slightly, and suddenly some vikings left the hall and began their descent down the stairs. He waited until they were out of earshot before continuing. "If I get any complaints that you are up to no good, I won't hesitate to make you leave. I have an island and my people to keep safe. Understand?"

Halldor felt bad that he sounded a little harsh, but he knew if he was too easy-going, he would end up with all sorts of crimes going on behind his back. He had seen it happen before; and wouldn't let it happen again. Dragons theiving food supplies was bad enough. Humans theiving supplies was worse. Life on berk was rough living.

Halldor sighed a bit and then smiled and put a hand on his shoulder encouragingly. "Come on, let me take you to your house. I'll help with some Vikings and dragons to bring your stuff from the boat; it'll be a long walk."