The Stranger in the Winds
The desert wasn't kind this day. The wind was kicking up the sand, creating a vicious sandstorm. Yet there was a traveler walking towards the Desert Nation's capital of Darune. He traveled alone with no packs. In truth the only thing he had with him were his clothes, a mask to cover his eyes and nose, and a sort of cloth wrapped around his right arm. On this cloth were chains and small rectangular papers. His pace never faltered as he neared the capital city. Soon he had arrived at the gates.
The city of Darune was a city that didn't welcome outsiders. They still let them in, but they put the travelers through an extensive search. Most of the time this entailed being patted down and being put through a soul search. Soul searching is a simple task performed by mystics or priests, in which they read your intentions. By this time the traveler was being patted down.
"You do realize that the wards are there for a reason." This was the first time that the traveler had spoken in awhile. His voice came out in a soft rasp. "I'm telling you to not take it off." The guards were cautious and obeyed every rule about the entry of an outsider. Two of them pointed back to the gate. "I am not going to leave. I need to see the lord of the commons district and until I do I will wait here."
"Like hell you will!" A guard yelled. "Under the jurisdiction of Lord Raine you will now be escorted out of the gates for failure to comply. Any further resistance will result in your death!" The traveler simply frowned as he turned towards the guard that had spoken.
"I am under no law of any lord. You can tell Lord Raine that she can come to this gate and meet me if you won't let me through." There was a glint in his eyes as he looked up at the guard. "And if you want to, consider this further resistance." The guards did just that and pulled their weapons out, two swordsmen, a spearman, and two riflemen all began to ready themselves. With a sigh the traveler slid his left foot back with his left arm positioned slightly at an angle to it. His cloth covered right arm went to cross his stomach.
"That is quite enough!" A loud voice rang out. The voice carried authority with it, made completely obvious by the reaction the guards had. They all suddenly snapped to attention and saluted the source of the voice. "Well well, you've finally come back to us. It's only been ten years." Now that the owner of the voice wasn't yelling, you could hear the feminine touch to it. "Lord Pyre, we all welcome you here." The traveler hadn't moved one bit until his name was finally mentioned.
"Please, no titles. My name is Zahn, not Lord Pyre. You of all people should know that." He had returned to a full standing stance. There was a sour feeling in the air as the two looked at each other. Zahn's fur and clothes stained by the desert sands and long travels. While the woman wore colorful light clothing on top of another light fabric, perfect for the heat that goes with deserts. "The noble look fits you Sasha. Or should I call you Lord Raine." Sasha smiled slightly before turning around and walking away. She motioned for him to follow and he did.
(This is just a teaser. I'm in the process of finishing the chapter, I just want to know the opinion of this story first. Yes, I know the characters' species is not mentioned, there is a reason behind it, considering this is only a teaser. Constructive criticism is welcome.)