Synopsis: The Sewers of Khwarezm (a Medb hErenn adventure)

Medb hErenn awakens to herself in a slave dungeon. Another slave, Sahrazad, a princess who ran away to escape an arranged marriage, tends to her. Medb escapes into the sewers, followed by Sahr soon afterwards. Together they head towards the city to find help.

Morgiana of the House of Baba, a master thief, waits for Medb outside a coffee shop. Medb had been hired by the king of a city to bring back his runaway daughter, Sahrazad, so she could be married as he arranged. Medb in turn hired Morgiana to help by acquiring information on the sly while Medb operates more openly. Morgiana is approached by a bard who informs her that Medb has been kidnapped by slavers, the same ones who took the princess. He also explains that he is Sahr’s lover, and the prince who is to be her husband has charged him with retrieving her. He proposes they work together to rescue them both, and she agrees.

As they traverse the sewers, Medb learns why Sahr ran away: she fell in love with a bard and they slept together. By law, she must be a virgin when she weds the Prince, and there is an elaborate ceremony that ensures that, but she truly loves the bard as well. She was trying to get to Celephais when the slavers took her. She tries to bribe Medb, but discovers the massive woman will not go back on her word. However, she promises to try to think of a to get her out of her mess. They come upon a tunnel with a ledge that probably leads up to a private villa. The tunnel is too steep and slimy to climb, but they can rest on the shelf. Sahr cuts her foot and Medb heals her, then they settle in for a nap.

Morgiana and the bard survey the courtyard of a villa from on high. Though outside the city on the inland side, a canal links it directly to the sea. A galley is tied up to a dock and naked women are being put aboard, but they do not see Medb. Teehar returns from his scouting mission and reports that he overheard guards saying that two of the captives, the best of the lot, had escaped into the sewers. He also reports that no one was sent after them. Morgiana is confused, but the bard states they must find them before the worms come out.

Medb and Sahr awaken and continue on their way. More tunnels appear, indicating they are getting closer to the center of the city. However, some of the tunnels appear smaller and rougher, like the rock and brick have been chewed. Medb pauses to examine one closely, and she hears a slithering sound. Suddenly a worm-like creature with a bulbous head, huge eyes, and a horny beak-like mouth lunges at her. She falls back in the sewage and blasts it before it can chomp her. Sahr helps her to stand, and another worm emerges to grab her; Medb blasts it as well. More worms emerge and they make a run for it, dodging strikes while Medb punches any that get too close.

The city cats inform Crème that they have heard women’s voices in part of the sewers. They lead Morgiana and the bard to that location.

Medb and Sahr reach a hub where several smaller sewers meet their own. Drains higher up discharge sewage into the pool. Higher still appears to be manhole covered with a grate. Medb believes she can levitate both of them, but then huge worms emerge and attack. There are too many and they are too strong for Medb to handle on her own. Sahr finds a large glass shard and defends the massive woman’s back, but they are being overwhelmed. Then magical explosive spheres strike the worms as arrows blind them. Looking up, they see Morgiana and the bard descending on ropes. The bard shoots arrows as Conaed clinging to his legs uses magical attacks. Morgiana tosses Medb a sword while she fends off the worms from above. Teehar carries down the end of a rope, which Sahr ties around herself. At a signal from Morgiana the ropes are hauled back up. Medb grabs Sahr’s rope and levitates herself up beside it, covering their retreat.

They emerge from the sewer in a squalid part of the city; homeless beggars man the ropes. The bard wraps his cloak around Sahr, but Medb is unconcerned about her nudity. Morgiana explains that she promised the beggars money if they helped; Medb pledges to do right by them. They then retreat to a nearby tavern to get cleaned up and fresh clothes.

Afterwards they have a feast in the common room. Medb presents the beggars’ representative with a purse of gold crowns, but states that she will also open a “shop”, where they can get food, drink, clothing, and other basic necessities for free. She will support it, but she also believes the city will chip in, in exchange for her not reporting their turning a blind eye to slaving activities to Kuranes. He might not be able to stop the slave trade, but he can make it considerably more difficult, what with fines, seizures, and blockades. She also convinces the bard to reveal that he is the very prince Sahr is to marry. He had her that she was reluctant, so he disguised himself and came weeks in advance of his official arrival so as to woe her and win her heart. Then he would disappear and surprise her when he arrived as his true self. He had not anticipated her coming after him. He also has a plan for circumventing the ceremony to prove she is a virgin. Though angry at first, she melts when she realizes he must love her dearly to risk his life to rescue her. As a reward for their part in the rescue, he will pay Medb triple her commission, but will also initiate a program similar to her “shop” in his city once he becomes king. He promises Morgiana a rich payment as well, but also grants her immunity from all thefts, future as well as past, that she commits in his city. He simply asks she doesn’t strip them naked. He also grants them citizenship, a house of their own, servants, and a stipend. Sahr asks Medb to stand with her at her wedding, and she agrees. Finally they toast their new friendship as well as health, happiness, and many children for the betrothed couple.