Hidden Ceremony
Sheik rode into entrance to the silent village just as the sun was setting. She unbuckled Alaunus' saddle and put away the tack, leading him into a small stable concealed in the rock.
She walked through the quiet streets until she came to the house at the far end, where the only light in the entire village burned. The door opened for a moment, then the tall warrior disappeared inside.
The following day Sheik set about tracking down a few things that Impaz had instructed her to find. They were scattered all over the wrecked town, but in the end everything was in order by the time the darkness crept over the mountains again.
The two women stood outside silently, the last of a forgotten race.
The older of the pair looked up at the younger. "I'll be going then." she nodded.
"Are you sure you won't stay? We won't be a bother." she insisted.
"Our people can't wander in the desert to find silence anymore, girl. Stay, there is peace here. You need to be alone. That is the way of things." the woman replied, her tone carrying a note of finality. "I will send your mount home once I return." She walked silently back through the passage and after a few moments rode out of the canyon, leaving Sheik alone in the coming darkness.
She took a deep breath and pulled her cloak around her as she sat down in the sand, sending silent prayers to the Goddesses for a good life and protection.
The darkness closed in, covering the village, making it impossible to see a single thing.
[Usual warnings for wank and adult content]
She walked through the quiet streets until she came to the house at the far end, where the only light in the entire village burned. The door opened for a moment, then the tall warrior disappeared inside.
The following day Sheik set about tracking down a few things that Impaz had instructed her to find. They were scattered all over the wrecked town, but in the end everything was in order by the time the darkness crept over the mountains again.
The two women stood outside silently, the last of a forgotten race.
The older of the pair looked up at the younger. "I'll be going then." she nodded.
"Are you sure you won't stay? We won't be a bother." she insisted.
"Our people can't wander in the desert to find silence anymore, girl. Stay, there is peace here. You need to be alone. That is the way of things." the woman replied, her tone carrying a note of finality. "I will send your mount home once I return." She walked silently back through the passage and after a few moments rode out of the canyon, leaving Sheik alone in the coming darkness.
She took a deep breath and pulled her cloak around her as she sat down in the sand, sending silent prayers to the Goddesses for a good life and protection.
The darkness closed in, covering the village, making it impossible to see a single thing.
[Usual warnings for wank and adult content]