~ ~ ~ When Kaline had set within the Barber's Chair, all the colors of the day were vanishing from the view of the market square and central water well, outside the front windows of Gideon's shop, as twilight claimed Elmshade.  With soft hissing laughter, whispering up her spine, came Viper's well-aimed and so very persuasive response to her recent thoughts, smoothly injecting 'Then remember, when next a moment of dire desperation comes, that calls for you to draw the Blade of the Dark Realm, you do so by CHOICE cognizant, that there MAY be a price.  Now, how is accepting the Serpent Band into your life any different, beyond it not being a moment of desperation, but a well-considered, conscious CHOICE?  To accept the Headpiece, to have the Headpiece with you, to CHOOSE to use the Headpiece... or NOT as you decide and need."  The last phrase from the enchanted Serpentine Headband took on an echoing quality repeating over and over in her mind before fading from inside her perception.  About her body in so very many places of eroticism did it seem she felt the caresses of the Serpent, hovering before her eyes, teasing and tempting her flesh.  When the Scimitar Maiden arose from the Barber's Chair, she stood within a darkened room. ~ ~ ~

 ~ ~ ~ Meaning, night had fallen while she stared upon the Serpentine Band.  The time from twilight to full darkness commonly took as long as a candle to burn halfway down.  Unbeknownst to Kaline, when awakening from a hypnotic trance, it was not unusual to awake refreshed, invigorated... or even aroused at the direction of the hypnotist, which might account for why her energy levels were on the upswing.  As Desert Warrior cast her questing eyes about for her hostess, a floating candelbra with seven lit candles entered ahead of a serving cart pushed by Gideon from the hallway leading back to the kitchen.  Upon entering, the Loremaster motioned the candelbra over to the cabinet, where all the accounterments of his trade were stored, and had it placed there.  The Mocking Man then turned back to his quest, and apologized, "Kaline, I'm terribly sorry about making you wait so long.  I had to rekindle the fire for the stove."  Gideon casually set about turning the teacups right side up on their respective serving saucers, and lifted the teapot to pour for her, asking "How do you take your tea?" ~ ~ ~

 ~ ~ ~ Upon receiving the Scimitar Maiden's response, the Mocking Man prepared her tea as instructed, adding just enough honey to cut the bitterness.  Stirring the sweet syrup into her cup, the Master Barber looked up from his task, and lifted both eyebrows at her admission and actual physical contact with the Serpent Band.  Gideon casually shifted his own pale, almost yellow eyes from her resolute gaze to that of the Serpent Band, and then back to Kaline's, before nodding at her questions.  The former Guild Master finished stirring the Desert Warrior's tea, and placed the spoon back on the saucer for the cup.  The Loremaster then looked where the burning candelbra was set, and with a slight narrowing of his eyes, seemed to exert some kind silent command. ~ ~ ~

 ~ ~ ~ After the momentary instant of concentration, Gideon sat down in one of the comfortable, plush leather love seats, positioned in front of one of the twin windows, which looked out across the porch into the central square.  The second leather love seat, similarly positioned in front of the other window, provided symmetry to the Chair Room.  While the Master Barber was getting comfortable, one of the candles from the candlebra lifted from its setting, and floated about the room, lighting the other lamps dispersed about the Chair Room.  Light blossomed in the darkest corners of the Chair Room, further illuminating both the common mundane items of a Barber Shop, and other obscure and unusual accouterments:

Item Description	Location	Item Description	Location
Girdle - A padded type of undergarment covering the waist, hips, groin and upper thighs woven of iridescent silk and satin.	Pegged to the foyer wall to the left of the doorway in the right wall.	Staff - A 6' tall black shaft with solar prominences engraved wrapped about its length.  The end cap at the bottom is a long spike of what looks like diamond.  The head piece is a 5" diameter orb with what looks like a miniature sun mutely burning inside.	Stands in right corner at far side of chair room.
Cloak - A durable, hooded over-garment worn about the shoulders down about the ankles woven of a deep black, light-weight material.	Pegged to wall on left side of archway into chair room.	Whiskey Bottle - A simple tall cylindrical brown glass bottle sealed with a glass cork and red wax with a barely legible label which reads 'Thayan Red brewed in Delhumide, 934' (circa 500 years ago).	Inside glass enclosed shelf to right side of mirror wall in chair room.
Book - A medium thickness volume of approximately 100 pages, 24" tall by 15" wide, red-leather bound inscribed with arcane silver symbols, and sealed with a gold lock clasp.	Set on angled shelf stand to left of front windows in chair room.	Ball - A 3' diameter smooth sphere of hard, steel-gray metal, impossibly heavy, rests on a thick wood dais.	Foyer to right of front doors and the double doors in the right wall.
Oil Vial - Inside the sealed cylindrical crystal vial, a cloudy gray fluid unceasingly swirls.	Inside glass enclosed shelf to right side of mirror wall in chair room.	Pearl - An iridescent black orb the size of a human eye, seemingly like lightning, glints and flashes occur within its depths even in the absence of light.	In glass case on countertop in chair room.
Oil Vial - Inside the sealed cylindrical crystal vial is a thick, slow-moving, yellow sludge.	Inside glass enclosed shelf to right side of mirror wall in chair room.	Slippers - A simple pair of delicate indoor footwear made of strong black silk, cork padding and sable fur.	Under glass in the coffee table in the chair room.
Scroll - Sealed in an old looking scroll case maded of polished red cedar and green-tinged corroded copper caps.	Inside glass enclosed shelf to left side of mirror wall in chair room.	Hat - A broad-brimmed, brown-leather stetson with black tassles and red neck cord.	Hanging from peg in wall to right side of front windows.
Tree Icon - Seemingly alive, almost like a miniature Oak Tree, a large, bulbous, green acorn with its rough cross hatched golden bark cap adorns the bottom.  In place of the acorn stem, the thick, rough gray-brown bark trunk of the tree extends 2' up, branching out into numerous green leafy limbs forming the characteristic mushroom-shaped canopy.	Stands on shelf between front windows in the chair room.	Box - A unusual rectangular white container with a sliding lid revealing a dozen evenly spaced grape-sized depressions.	On counter top in chair room.
Parchment - A thick walnut tablet holding at top and bottom a pair of ivory scroll cases with facetted emerald end caps and gold spindle wheel for advancing the yellow parchment.	Inside glass enclosed shelf to left side of mirror wall in chair room.	Brooch - A winged, six-legged, scaly, dragon-like creature made of obsidian set in a silver base.	In glass case on countertop in chair room.
Scroll - A simple roll of worn yellowed papyrus tied with a black ribbon.	Inside glass enclosed shelf to left side of mirror wall in chair room.	Formulae - Afixed in an ebony frame and glass case, an ancient yellowed parchment neatly folded up reveals a few arcane words of the document.	Inside glass enclosed shelf to left side of mirror wall in chair room.
Snake Band - A pharaoh-like King Cobra head piece for wear about the brow formed of solid gold, inlayed with platinum, and hypnotic, crimson-ruby eyes.	Placed on brow of wig stand on counter top in chair room.	Zither - A small metal stringed, musical box made of wormwood.	Wall shelf at right side of far window in chair room.
Ring - A crystal-clear band of unknown material with a small clear orb holding what appears to be an ever shifting mist inside it.	In glass case on countertop in chair room.	Balloon - Held in a net, a strange floating pink, 4' diameter orb of unknown material.	Hangs from the roof in the center of the staircase.
Powder - A clear glass jar with cork stopper sealed with black wax contains a fine sandy brown powder.	Inside glass enclosed shelf to right side of mirror wall in chair room.	Apparatus - A strange, man-shaped and sized, armored statue made of unknown metals and materials.	Inside chair room in corner to right of the archway.
Tapestry - A 10 by 15 foot weave of unknown fabric and means of manufacture displays a stark almost life-like in detail a depiction of a bleak, inhospitable, rugged, snow-capped mountains under a blood-red sky.	Hanging on left wall of the hall way going deeper into the house.	Orb - Sitting on a short, table top obsidian pedestal is a smooth, black, 10" diameter sphere.	Sits atop the countertop in the chair room.

 ~ ~ ~ Taking a quiet sip of his tea, Gideon pulled all the way down the shade on the window behind the love seat he sat in, and glanced briefly at the floating candle as it finished lighting the lamps.  It went from the last lamp it was at to the other windows of the Chair Room, and the shades went down all the way, before returning to the candlebra.  The Loremaster had returned his gaze back to Kaline, and looking over the rim of the tea cup at her, softly spoke, telling her, "I may have mentioned this before.  In Baldur's Gate, I helped import and export various goods to and from the city.  Over the years, somethings go and some stay.  You also hear about some interesting things like that.  The headpiece once belonged to the now deceased Vytholus, a High Priest of an obscure deific being called Apophis, who, from the information I found, seemed some sort of Beast Lord, a totem of worship for snakes, lizards and other creatures of similar ilk."  The Mocking Man, taking another sip of his tea, motioned toward the empty space beside him, and waiting for her response, continued to study the Desert Maiden with keen interest. ~ ~ ~

 ~ ~ ~ At the touch of Kaline's hand on one of the prongs of the Serpent Band for resting on a person's head, a slim coil of cool smooth gold and platinum scales lightly wound a single time about her wrist in a gentle clasp.  It warmed up to her body temperature.  The moment of truth had arrived.  Would the sell be made?  Would Viper leave with the Desert Warrior?  Viper was silent, as if holding its breath. ~ ~ ~

 ~ ~ ~ Recieving the stroking touch of the Desert Maiden, Viper vibrated under her hand, almost to the point of purring.  The tactile vibrations of the headband focused on the sensitive underside of Kaline's wrist, trying to further encourage her contact with very pleasant caresses.  When the Scimitar Maiden attempted to free herself from the clasp, Viper momentarily tightened its coils about her wrist, but reluctantly allowed Kaline to slip free from its hold.  The Serpentine Headpiece assumed its customary position once more on the head stand, and grew quescent as it waited for the deal to be broken or sealed. ~ ~ ~

 ~ ~ ~ Watching the flash of annoyance cross her face, the former Guild Master didn't let it show, but enjoyed seeing the narrowing of her brown eyes and the lowering of her eyebrows in consternation.  It was part of getting to know someone, and important to know what emotions were tied to specific facial features.  In response to her questions, Gideon simply nodded that he did know more about the Serpentine Headpiece, and as he prepared to answer her, set his teacup down on the coaster.  The Loremaster could sense the confusion of tumultuous thoughts warring within Kaline's mind, as she tried to reconcile how she should respond to him and to Viper.  He watched how what she was thinking played out on her face in feelings, until finally she looked at him with the questions that needed answering. ~ ~ ~

 ~ ~ ~ Once Kaline finished asking her questions, Gideon gently took hold of her hands cupping his face, and firmly pulled them down so that she would sit beside him.  The Scimitar Maiden could easily have resisted his pull being much stronger than him.  Whether she should stood or sat, the Mocking Man steadily met Kaline's gaze, and with his reverberant, English baroque, calmly answered "You see truly, Kaline.  I confess to being surprised by what we've shared together this day.  I haven't enjoyed a woman's company in some time.  When you told me the Desert Wind had blown you to distant shores and strange places, I would hazard a guess, that I'm your next agent of the Desert Winds with a ticket to your next destination.  You see, I haven't quite given up the export-import business, since coming to Elmshade.  Only the other day, I dispatched an expedition to bring back an item I'd learned about.  They were three in number, and unable to recruit other adventurers from Elmshade to go with them."  The Master Barber leaned closer to the Desert Warrior, and with a bare smile, confided "I hoped to persuade you to take part in the expedition, when you came through my door.  They would need your skill with the scimitar, which might also be awakened by the foes you met along the way.  And it would seem as though you've attracted another admirer." ~ ~ ~

 ~ ~ ~ Motioning toward the Serpentine Headpiece, Gideon suavely introduced "Viper meet Kaline.  As for your earlier questions, you should know, that if you take Viper into your life, no creature of reptile blood can easily defy your Will or cause you harm.  Viper can summon or conjure reptiles, transform sticks, arrows or staves into serpents as called for.  However, whomever uses it should practice careful and judicious application of its powers for they can come with a price, some permanent, some temporary.  Vytholus was not entirely human anymore after extensive use of Viper's powers, and neither was the foolhardy adventurer who brought it back.  I have used Viper but only suffered the temporary prices for those applications.  Viper is neither good or evil., but does require compensation." and waited along with Viper to see how Desert Warrior dealt with the new answers. ~ ~ ~

 ~ ~ ~ As Kaline sat down beside him, Gideon draped his left arm about her shoulders.  After commenting about the Desert Winds, the former Guild Master smartly quipped, "Normally, I do not moonlight.  But seeing as how profitable it has been..." and gently squeezed Kaline about the shoulders "... serving as a conductor for the Desert Winds, how could I turn it down, especially when the price is so attractive."  The Loremaster slyly smiled back at her, and would've bent down to kiss her had she not retrieved her teacup.  However, what the Desert Warrior said next caught the Mocking Man off guard, and caused him to slightly tense up at the implications of her words. ~ ~ ~

 ~ ~ ~ More closely regarding Kaline, the Master Barber carefully picked his words, finally telling her "It seemed a fortuitous coincidence, perhaps as you told me... a result of your Desert Winds.  I couldn't equate the cost of the pampering I extended to you, NOR what we shared in the bath, as sufficient incentive to go on the expedition.  That would cheapen what you bestowed on me by putting a price on it, when it is priceless."  The Mocking Man concerned about the intentions of the Desert Warrior, thoughtfully replied "Kaline, I would not in good concious send you on a potentially life-threatening and dangerous quest without some payment in exchange for your participation.  As Viper has formed a bond with you, I formally offer it to you as payment.  Afterall, I believe you will need its support, as I have no assured way of linking you up with the party.  So you'll be on your OWN until you catch up to them."  The Loremaster paused a brief moment, before continuing on, and shaking his head, sagaciously spoke "From what you've told me of how you found the Blade of the Dark Realm, I do not believe you can so easily part with it.  Have you ever had it stolen or ever tried to leave it some place with the intention of never going back for it?  I bet if you tried it would be back among your belongs the next time you checked.  Besides, as I said previously, only when the proper battle conditions are met will the Scimitar awaken and reveal the powers imbued within it.  All it would do is gather dust in my shop.  I ask that you think carefully about this.  For I do not think I could send you on this dangerous expedition without either one."  The Master Barber leaned down to brush his lips against Kaline's, and then softly murmured, "I love a challenge.  Let me show you how convincing I can be..." bringing her more tenderly into his embrace while kissing her. ~ ~ ~

    The Scimitarweilder sighed very gently at his words."My Love I never meant to put a price on anything that we have shared for that would be blasphemous. Perhaps I desired you to hold those items to ensure that my feet once more cross your threashold. Were the Sandlord to forbid to anjoy your arms once again anout me, I would defy them for I have every intention of returning to this place. As for the Darkrealm Blade and Viper I will take both upon my journey if it will ease your mind. Hopefully I will have little use for either item." A smile curved her lips as softly spoke the last sentance.

    Kaline's thoughts were scattered to the four winds with his soft kiss and words. She leaned into his arms, as her fingers luxuriated in his thick hair. The kiss was returned with just as much tenderness as it was given to her, but beneath the desertwoman's tenderness lay the incredible passion that was her birthright. Kaline broke off the kiss and softly whispered, "Tell me I do not have to leave until the morn. Please tell me this is so" Her lips were so close to his ear that her warm breath tickled as she breathlessly pleaded with him.

      Suddenly her mood altered slightly to be a more defiant. The Desertwoman slithered back to sit in his lap and tucked her head beneath his chin. "I do not believe  you have been convincing enough, however I will grant you the right to prove your interest in my tale." The last word had been deliberately chosen for its dual meaning.

 ~ ~ ~ As soon as Kaline consented to take Viper upon her journey, the Serpentine Headband became animated, its ruby eyes ablaze with their inner light.  While they cuddeled on the love seat across the room, it coiled more tightly upon the brow of the wigstand on the countertop.  From its perch, Viper bobbed and wavered side to side gauging the distance, before launching itself across the room.  The Serpentine Headpiece of gold and platinum inlaided with diamonds transformed, as it undulated in mid-air, into a more slender necklace like design.  Across the space, it flew to heavily land upon the back of the Desert Warrior's shoulders, as she ducked her head beneath Gideon's chin.  Where upon, the animated jewelry lashed about her exposed neck, and formed a cool knot of its platinum and gold coils in the hollow of her throat, leaving the head and tail pointed down into her cleavage [roll d10 to try to prevent]. ~ ~ ~

 ~ ~ ~ Hearing the words 'My Love' were a little disconcerting for the former Guild Master, but he kept his attention focused on Kaline's face, as she provided her reasons for wanting to leave her Sword.  The Mocking Man nodded along attentively with her words, and as the Scimitar Maiden finished with the part about taking Viper and the Blade with her, suavely interjected "To be sure, so long as you have Viper and the Blade of the Darkrealm by your side, they should make forbidding you from doing anything most difficult."  With the breaking of their kiss, Gideon smiled at her whispered question in his ear, and watching as Viper made ready to leap the distance, softly answered her "Indeed, you have a point.  I could not very well send you off on an expedition unrested and all mussed up, having a bad hair day.  That wouldn't do at all.  Just think of the black mark it would put on my record as a Barber and your host!  I could lose my standing in the Scissor Guild."  The Loremaster slipped his arms around Kaline's waist at lower back level, and gently pressed into her body so she'd feel the stiff renewal of his own passion.  The Master Barber timed his answer to her last words with the arrival of Viper, wrapping about her throat, and giving a momentary jerk of his arms in mock surprise, chidingly scolded "Viper, shame on you.  Can't you see I've been granted another chance to make up from previous failing and properly convince our Desert Princess of the interest we have in her tale!"  The Mocking Man firmly cupped his hands about the round contours of Kaline's bottom, and kissed the brow of her forehead. ~ ~ ~

    Kaline made no move to prevent Viper from settling about her shoulders, nor did she move away from Gideon as he kissed and cuddled with her. Rather she enjoyed both sensations to the fullest, a small part of the desertwoman still unbelieving of her good fortune. Her lips curved in a soft smile feeling his arousal against her and his hands cupping her bottom.

      She turned slightly, so that her back rested against his side and gently drew his hands to clasp about her waist. "I believe that you do desire to hear why I am not afraid of Viper, even though I respect her." Kaline settled a bit more against her host, as a hand lifted to gently stroke Viper. "Some believe what I am about to tell you is no more then a myth, some believe it is legand, some believe it is a teaching story, whist others believe it as fact. I shall leave it up to you to decide what you believe it as."

      "Once when the Sands of Time were young the Great Desert Lords walked upon the desert along side of Mortal Man. They were worshiped as living Dieties, much as they are worshipped still today. Amongs these Lords was the Serpentlord, who held sway over the vipers of the desert and of the forms of Dance that mimicked their motions. There also existed a woman, whose desire for a Mortal Lord's son was great. She knew that her own social standing was not enough to attract him and discovered the Mortal Lord's son love of the serpentine dance." Kaline tipped her head back to look at Gideon with a rueful smile. "Why is it that the women of these tales never seem to think that what they have is enough to gain thier ends? I have always wondered that since my Uncle first told me this tale. Anyhow I digress." Her free hand continued to stroke Viper, even as her other hand laid quietly over Gideon's.

     "So this woman went to the Serpentlord and asked that the ability to perform his dance flow through her as it had through no other mortal woman. The Serpentlord studied the woman closely, then took her into his arms and granted her wish. The woman fell asleep, and when she woke the next morning, the blood of her innocence stained the sheets beneath her. She cared not for that loss and danced, only to discover that she was no better than she was. When she approached the serpentlord in anger, he stilled her voice and calmly told her that she was be no better than what she was. Rather his gift would flow through her to the daughter that she carried, which was exactly what the woman asked for. With her innocence gone her woman's father sold her as a concubine to the first man he could find to take  her shame away from him. In Truth the woman's Daughter danced as no other Mortal Woman could in the manner of the Serpentlords Dance."

      Kaline paused for minute, reaching the hand closest to her teacup to take a sip of the cooled liquid. "The Daughter married well and bore her husband several sons, but only a single daughter. This daughter danced only slightly less better then her Mother. Again she to married well,and bore her husband many sons but only a single daughter. This pattern continued on and with each daughter born of Mortal Woman's line the ability to dance dimished slightly. In a rare occurance the Matriarchal Line was given a name: Serpentdancer. In earlier times the Serpentdancer was a treasured item, but somehow the line became not extinct but disbelieved in." Once more she sighed softly. "Can you imagine how lonely it must be to be your Mother's only daughter? I blessed the Sandlords nearly every day for the gift of my Father's other wife's daughters. I could not have been closer to my sisters if we had shared both parents rather than a single one."

    The warrior knew that last comment had been but a ploy to delay the inevitable truth that was the whole purpose of telling him this story of the Desert. "I am a direct daughter of the Serpentdancer and so have never feared either the vipers of the sands, nor any other serpent. Perhaps the Serpentlord led me here so that I could cast aside the shame that had been inflicted upon me, if I but had the courage." Kaline looked up at Gideon curious to see what he thought of her tale.