Khiala, Desert Warrior 0: Runaway
A stunning blazing sun was watching
her; Khiala, as she carried lots and lots of water pots to her tribe, the
Khu’mas. It was becoming a very dry year and liquid soon enough became an
issue. She had to face thieves, bandits and penny-snatchers. At a tender age,
she learned how to swing a blade, having a rough life all alone, abused and
almost slaved. She planned ahead a sweet escape but she needed to gather some
food and find some means of transport first. As one of the coldest nights ever
to arrive, the woman fiercely encouraged herself, killed one of the guards and
stole a camel to take her to nowhere lands. The future was uncertain, only sand
was gazed through the fartest sight. Where she would end up was a complete
mystery.
~ A Fragmentary Passage ~
Soon enough after her departure, the
fierce young woman fell unconscious, prey to her own fatigue. She closed both
of her eyelids and entered the realm of dreams. So deep asleep she was that
never noticed her arrival to the big city of Lanza’as, known mostly for its
rich people and home to the rival and dangerous clan of Tsho’ros. She swiftly
changed her clothes to go by unnoticed and time after, she released her
traveling partner and saw it walk away. She saw it with a big smile, watching
his own fading into the scorching sands. She bravely came out of the lurking
shadows and looked across the wide streets. Was it safe? No one would say, but,
the moment she was recognized, she was sure she would meet her own demise.
Street flea markets, coins flowing
back and forth, kids in a mischievous behavior, it was a natural atmosphere for
Khiala as she worked many years under the orders of the thief Puungha, letting
her to know about cities, some contacts, moving around walls and many other handful
skills. She started to walk looking for her only and dearest childhood friend,
a brownish, tall and fit boy; months without any news from him casted heavy
doubt on the young lady. Cold stares pierced her tough armor and started to
shatter her in the inside. She felt lonely, weak, even ill. She talked with the
streetmarkers, but the only information she could find was that her beloved
friend, the only light she was able to see despite her dark surroundings, was
being held captive at the Great Palace. Down in the blue, she started to look
for an empty roof, a nice spot to relax and sit, to watch as the sun began to
fade, away into the sinking and infinite sand.
