The sands burned like fire. The air was dry and hot, all moisture burned away by the blazing sun high over the riders. Seven horses dashed across the gold and red sands leaving a stinging wake behind. The riders held tight the reigns of their steeds as the powerful animals traversed uneven dunes without direction.
"God above, how long have we left?" A rider asked when composure and will allowed him words.
"We will arrive when God wills it!" Another said from behind him, his flowing cloak of gold linen billowing behind him as they rode.
At the tail of the group, riding just slower than the rest, a man gripped his saddle and reigns with dull metal-clad hands. His armor rattling with every move of his brilliant gray horse. Beneath his heavy pot helmet the man blinked away stinging sweat, and fatigue. He had not expected the heat of the Araadem deserts to be fact... if only he had listened.
"How is our friend?" A man in the lead asked in his native Ardaic, following with a mocking laugh. The riders behind looked over their shoulders to peer at the armored knight at their flank. He was unreadable, his helmet was closed and hid all but his eyes, and the rest of him was little more than a collection of gray armor whose shine had been worn away from sand and heat, and whose blue cloak of heavy material barely moved for its weight.
"He is still alive I think!" Another rider said in the language of his people, with a mixture of surprise and amusement. The knight looked on, not understanding the words that came from this man's mouth.
"He is stronger than I expected." Another remarked in his native tongue.
"That metal and leather will go soon enough, just you watch." Remarked yet another rider, looking again to the uneven sands ahead of them. Their horses, strong and beautiful steeds bred by the Araadem specifically for this land, carried them toward the outskirts of the Miadhad, a city built around a beautfiul oasis. The Knight bowed his head, and thanked the Saints for delivering him to his destination.
No comments:
Post a Comment