Welcome to the Big Top!

While Doberman joyfully hammers down the three, long, oddly wrought, cast-iron tent-poles deep into the sand and Barbella and Henshaw are unrolling and laying out the multiple, cream coloured, canvass sections, Rifkin smiles at the fantastic (if unnecessary) bargain he'd gotten. The tent is truly enormous! More like a marquee really. He's never seen one so big, other than the ones from the larger travelling circuses. A dozen men could comfortably sleep in it!

Forty-five feet in length by fifteen feet in width (not including the awnings and guide ropes) and varying in height between eight and twelve feet at the poles. In fairness, it's actually three sections that combine to make one large composite one but designed to stand alone if needed. He hadn't planned on buying anything so large or flamboyant but the old camel ostler had been trying to get rid of it, so sold it for markedly less than the price of the four smaller tents that he'd originally requested.

It's proven to be a blessing though, as the daytime heat is horribly oppressive and being outside in the direct sunslight for any length of time is problematic. This tent allows for some privacy and a modicum of personal space.

The battered, and seemingly cowed, Wizard Moody spends most of his time tethered to the central pole, his wrists bound behind his back, raw and bruised from the harsh ropes. His gag removed only when eating, drinking or being questioned.

Not ideal but the strangely shaped pole, along with the two secondary poles are secured well enough by the depth of sand and tension from the canvas top and multiple guide ropes.

The black metal support poles are fascinating though. Their bizarre shape enables oil lamps to be hung from them safely but they also feature twin metal fans. The one outside the tent, turned by the heat from the sun, spinning the one inside, fast enough to create a cooling and pleasant stirring of the air within.

Sadly, the decor inside is slightly disappointing. The three oil lanterns illuminating the patterned rug floorings covering most of the sand, multiple, colourful silk cushions and slightly raised bases for the bedrolls. Enough to lift the sleeper off the warm floor but nothing more. 

Rifkin sighs. It'll be a shame to abandon this alongside the seven camels. 

"Oh well… Easy come, easy go."

Just for a change, this’ll annoy David (yes I know my draftsmanship, scale, proportion and layout are all over the place) instead of Assif! :D