Tracks in the Desert
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Tracks in the Desert was a virtual representation of one of Basim ibn Ishaq's genetic memories relived through the Animus.[1]
Description[edit | edit source]
Basim journeys into the wilds north of Al-Ula seeking his father Ishaq ibn Khalid, whom the robbers had captured.
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
Basim pondered his current situation after having killed 'Abis and inspected his father's home in Al-Ula Oasis.
- Basim: My father has been taken. To find him, I must journey into the north of AlUla. But who leads the robbers now? With 'Abis dead... I wonder who this "real chief" may be?
Basime ventured beyond the oasis, towards Ramm Valley, a place frequented by the robbers.
- Basim: I should remain alert to ambushes...
From afar, black smoke could be seen.
- Basim: That smoke... I should investigate.
Basim approached the source of the smoke. It came from a burning carriage. It belonged to a group of traders who were just struck by the robbers.
- Trader 1: Please! Show pity! (screams)
- Trader 2: Kill me, but spare my wife!
- Trader 3: (weeps)
- Trader 2: Have mercy on me!
- Trader 3: (sobs)
As Basim got closer, the robbers made their escape.
- Robber: We've got everything! Time to go! Move out!
A trader called Basim out.
- Trader 1: I beg of you, stranger! I need your aid!
After helping other traders to their feet, Basim spoke with the lady who called him.
- Trader 1: The robbers who attacked us stole everything, and we must now learn to live without.
- Basim: Tell me, from where did these robbers come?
- Trader 1: They suddenly appeared from the nearby canyon.
Using the abilities during his training, Basim tracked a set of footprints.
- Basim: There is something here... I should follow these tracks. They might lead me to my prey...
Without losing sight of the tracks on the sand, Basim continued.
- Basim: This seems to be the right way...
On his way to the camp, he unknowingly activated one of the robbers' traps. A loud shock sent sand flying into the air and stunned Basim for a moment.
- Robber 2: You are surrounded, dog!
- Basim: Oh? Yet you are the ones about to die!
Basim dispatched the robbers quickly and continued following the tracks. These led him to the Robbers' Water Supply.
- Basim: This must be one of the robbers' hideouts. There could be useful information here to help me find my father.
Basim approached two robbers, who were guarding the small stable within their hideout, and eavesdropped on their conversation.
- Robber 3: Those wandering traders walked into this land carrying dinars. And now they walk out empty-handed.
- Robber 4: Not all of them will be walking out. Only the lucky few.
Entering the inner sections, Basim noticed one of the robbers was carrying a note that could help his investigation.
- Basim: I should look at this more closely.
Robbers' Mark
- Watch for the mark. Let it be your guide through our work. Seeing it will be as though speaking with your brothers.
- Basim: These symbols... It seems the robbers use them to communicate. I must investigate further.
Inspecting the improvised storage, Basim found a map marking another robber camp.
- Basim: This is helpful. I should check this area. It appears I have found one of the robbers' secret lairs. Perhaps there is a clue there that will lead me to my father.
He found another note nearby.
Robber's Note
- Orders to move the old cur to the camp north of here and await word. Why does he bother with such a worthless fool?
- Basim: Interesting... That explains much.
Leaving the water supply camp, Basim went to the next one.
- Basim: Soon enough I shall have my answers. Until then, I must remain focused.
Just as in previous moments, Basim couldn't help to wonder about the reasons behind his abandonment.
- Basim: If only I could understand what I did so grievously wrong. Or... perhaps... you deemed my very birth the error?
No matter the distance nor the ambushes the robbers set on him, these couldn't distract Basim of his thoughts.
- Basim: Father, why did you abandon me all those years past? Steady yourself, Basim. You are a man now, not a boy.
After he managed to cross the valley, Basim inspected the robbers' lair.
- Basim: This looks like a hidden den of the robbers. Maybe I will find the information I need to locate my father.
In the vicinity of the lair, Basim overheard a conversation between two of the robbers.
- 'Robber 1: Has he no shame? Stealing from his own brothers? There must be honor among thieves.
- 'Robber 2: Rest easy. That dirty traitor dog is locked up tight while we decide his fate.
- 'Robber 1: RWho holds the key to his cage? Is it you?
- 'Robber 2: No, I left it with Ahmad.
While infiltrating the lair, Basim found a note.
Epitath for a Fallen Warrior
- Here lies a great warrior, faithful to his troops and to his commander. Wife and son both murdered; he sought to wreak his vengeance. At his end, his sword meted justice; and his soul found peace.
[]Basim got to the den's section that worked as a small prision. Inside one of the cages, he spotted the traitor.
- Renegade robber: Release me with the key and I will help you.
Ahmad was posted just below the giant rock arc that towered itself on the outpost, along with resources and treasures stolen by the robbers. Basim used his talents so he could get the key and met with the traitor once more.
- Basim: This traitor they spoke of may hold useful secrets. And this key might help loosen his tongue...
He talked with the renegade.
- Renegade robber: You look like you're after some answers. Perhaps we can strike a bargain?
- Basim: You will have your bargain if you answer my questions. But how do I know you will not alert the camp the moment I free you, just to regain favor with your old friends?
- Renegade robber: Speak your questions, and we shall see.
- Basim: That is not exactly reassuring.
- Renegade robber: Do you want answers or not?
- Basim: I seek an old man, recently taken from the oasis...
- Renegade robber: Old man? Yes, I know the one, I helped capture him just the other day.
- Basim: On whose orders? 'Abis is dead—mine was the last face he saw.
- Renegade robber: 'Abis? He was never our true chief. He answered to Nimlot.
- Basim: Nimlot? He commands your band of cutthroats?
- Renegade robber: That's right. Though I've now parted from them, as you can see.
- Basim: Do you know where the old man is held?
- Renegade robber: It's hard to explain, but you will find it marked on this map. The place serves as Nimlot's base. All we steal goes there, then is sold off by a network of friendly merchants. To gain entry, you will need a whistle. You will find one upon that table. To pass as one of us, blow upon the whistle when you are standing close to the site. Now, hurry up and set me free.
Stricking his end of the bargain, Basim set the renegade free.
- Renegade robber: You are a rare man of honor. Much like myself.
The renegade made his escape.
- Basim: I possess all that is needed to rescue my father. Only Nimlot stands in my way... So, Nimlot has been my enemy all along. How could I have been so naïve? But why take my father? Unless he hopes to use him as bait.
Outcome[edit | edit source]
Basim learned that the robbers' true leader was Nimlot, the very merchant he first met when arriving at Al-Ula.