The wheels of the carriage crunched over the loose dirt and gravel that made up the roads that criss-crossed Thanalan. Â This carriage had only one occupant, whether for lack of travelers these days, or because no one wanted to be in the same carriage.
The man was clearly an Au'Ra, the great horns that protruded from his face and scalp matching the color of his dark scales. Â Skin a light blue with matching perriwinkle eyes. Â His hair slicked back and pulled into many braids of a green and white color. Â Scales of shimmering black covered random patches of his face, the light from the noonday sun making them change hues in a trickery of illusion.
He was looking at a map between his hands, the jolting of the carriage seeming to not bother him. Â One finger tapped at an area on the map, the fingernail filed to a sharp point and painted black. Â All his nails were that way as they protruded from fingerless gloves.
Ul'dah. Â A place of sand, money, and opportunity. Â Or so I was told. Â The Dusk Mother points me here through dreams, though why there is a crystal and a man in a black robe confuses me. Â But should I have told my elder? Â Would he have thought me crazy?
The Au'Ra turned his head, gazing out at the scenery. Â He could see a large city in the distance, and as the carriage turned, could start to make out the flags that lined the road and the wall. Â He let out a long sigh.
Mother spoke of a journey to build trust. Â 'Words and deeds not fists', she said. Â Bah. Â But I swore upon my honor I would do as she asked. Â I have heard that Ul'dah holds the renowned Pugilist's Guild. Â Perhaps I could apply there to hone my fighting skills as I . . . talk.
The carriage slowed down as it came to a large pair of gates made of iron and stone. Â The guards, though their eyes were hidden behind masks, stared and gawked at the Au'Ra that passed before them. Â But the one in the carriage showed no sign of caring or acknowledgement. Â Instead, he put the map away he held, pulling out another slip of paper from the pouch across his chest.
"Hold there! Â State your business in Ul'Dah!" Â A guard came up to the back of the carriage while the sounds of the chocobos pulling it kwehed nearby. Â Silently the Au'Ra handed the slip of paper to the guard, which the man took and opened.
"Hm. Â An Au'Ra eh? Â Name of Goro. Â Huh, what a stupid name." Â The guard looked up at Goro and held out his hand. Â "There is a fee of 100gil in order to enter the city."
Stupid Hyur. Â I am not foolish enough to fall for that. Â Goro glared at the guard, holding out his hand as well, meaning to take back the paper that would get him passage into Ul'Dah. Â The hyur scoffed, throwing the paper at Goro and waved a hand at the driver of the carriage.
"I'll get it from you later, beast. Â Now get out of my sight."
The carriage jolted to a start, rolling down the road and into the city, Goro shaking his head.
I fear this is what each day will be like for me now. Â But I won't be deterred. Â I will find a place in the Pugilist Guild and become stronger.
The man was clearly an Au'Ra, the great horns that protruded from his face and scalp matching the color of his dark scales. Â Skin a light blue with matching perriwinkle eyes. Â His hair slicked back and pulled into many braids of a green and white color. Â Scales of shimmering black covered random patches of his face, the light from the noonday sun making them change hues in a trickery of illusion.
He was looking at a map between his hands, the jolting of the carriage seeming to not bother him. Â One finger tapped at an area on the map, the fingernail filed to a sharp point and painted black. Â All his nails were that way as they protruded from fingerless gloves.
Ul'dah. Â A place of sand, money, and opportunity. Â Or so I was told. Â The Dusk Mother points me here through dreams, though why there is a crystal and a man in a black robe confuses me. Â But should I have told my elder? Â Would he have thought me crazy?
The Au'Ra turned his head, gazing out at the scenery. Â He could see a large city in the distance, and as the carriage turned, could start to make out the flags that lined the road and the wall. Â He let out a long sigh.
Mother spoke of a journey to build trust. Â 'Words and deeds not fists', she said. Â Bah. Â But I swore upon my honor I would do as she asked. Â I have heard that Ul'dah holds the renowned Pugilist's Guild. Â Perhaps I could apply there to hone my fighting skills as I . . . talk.
The carriage slowed down as it came to a large pair of gates made of iron and stone. Â The guards, though their eyes were hidden behind masks, stared and gawked at the Au'Ra that passed before them. Â But the one in the carriage showed no sign of caring or acknowledgement. Â Instead, he put the map away he held, pulling out another slip of paper from the pouch across his chest.
"Hold there! Â State your business in Ul'Dah!" Â A guard came up to the back of the carriage while the sounds of the chocobos pulling it kwehed nearby. Â Silently the Au'Ra handed the slip of paper to the guard, which the man took and opened.
"Hm. Â An Au'Ra eh? Â Name of Goro. Â Huh, what a stupid name." Â The guard looked up at Goro and held out his hand. Â "There is a fee of 100gil in order to enter the city."
Stupid Hyur. Â I am not foolish enough to fall for that. Â Goro glared at the guard, holding out his hand as well, meaning to take back the paper that would get him passage into Ul'Dah. Â The hyur scoffed, throwing the paper at Goro and waved a hand at the driver of the carriage.
"I'll get it from you later, beast. Â Now get out of my sight."
The carriage jolted to a start, rolling down the road and into the city, Goro shaking his head.
I fear this is what each day will be like for me now. Â But I won't be deterred. Â I will find a place in the Pugilist Guild and become stronger.