Stone Bridge Brawl

[bara.desu]

The orange sun hung low over the horizon. As its warmth retreated away into the cold night, the wind raced across the dry stones, racing towards the sun's warm rays. As it weaved through the numerous crevices and gaps of the desert canyon floor, it gained velocity, etching away at the already eroded cliff faces. With the dust-ridden wind came a slight chill, felt only by a lone figure as he lazily watched the coming twilight.

"A-...a-..." Sevan reeled back his head. "ACHOO!"

He shifted his plated arm, it's metallic clank echoing through the canyon walls as he wiped his nose.

Heat induced cold....great...

Sevan had arrived in the great canyons three days prior, finding employment in a small settlement on top of one of the numerous plateaus. The job? Collect tolls from passengers who wanted to use the only bridge for 30 miles in either direction that ran along a major road. Sentry duties didn't bother Sevan, but the 10-hour shift was starting to wear at his vitality. No interactions, no people, no changes; only the sun's rays and the canyon winds gave him comfort, and it was lousy comfort. Still, his employer did offer him a free sentry-duty trip out of this rock hole...

Another wind swirled around him, kicking up a light mist of sand and dust. Sevan coughed, shutting his eyes. After the wind past, he eyed his prize: the stone bridge.

Roughly 10 feet wide and spanning the entire canyon length of 50 feet across, it was strong enough for large caravans and animals to pass, even if its travelers were scared of the 200 foot drop to the crevice below. With a series of braziers spanning the entire bridge, it allowed for the way point to be illuminated for all to see. However, the bare black surface still radiated discomforting heat, even in the midst of dusk.

Sitting on top of one of the ridged edges, Sevan jostled his spear, trying to pass the time; it wasn't working. Lashing his tongue in disgust, he could taste the earth that accumulated in his jaw. His skin, dry and tight, constantly nudged at his mind. His eyes, losing their sheen and eagerness through the long day, already started to appear blood-shot and aggravated from the constant wind. Sevan's mind mulled, feeling his body communicate one word: annoyed.

I didn't do shit all day. Sevan eyed the horizon. I better get some free drinks or... Sevan sneered.

He desperately wished he were somewhere else.

 

[Captain Squee]

Mystro was wandering along a canyon side. The night would be cold, but no matter. He would change soon anyway. Just a few more minutes. He had heard of a bridge that crossed the canyon, and that was where he was headed. He had to find someone, and he wished not to need to climb down and back up the canyon walls. That could prove to be deadly.

He looked to the horizon ahead of him to see his goal. He was thirsty, but he set that aside for now. He would get water at his next stop...in the morning. The air was dry, so he wasn't sweating. Even if it was humid, he probably wouldn't be able to sweat much. He stopped thinking about it as he approached the bridge. Judging from the sun, he had about five minutes. But of course, someone else was already at the bridge. It was a Bangaa. He must have been hired for something. Probably a guard of the sorts.

When he got to the bridge, he tried avoiding contact and sent a friendly nod while looking in the strangers eyes and then continued toward the bridge. Hopefully he was allowed to cross.

 

[bara.desu]

"Hm?"

Sevan narrowed his eyes, looking ahead into the distance.

Across the bridge, a lone figure marched, his outline obscured into a mere shadow by the shifting dirt and rising heat. Even with his poor eyesight, Sevan knew he was no merchant; his ambiance carried that of a fighter. As he approached, Sevan saw that his initial feeling was correct. Despite his thin and bleached appearance, Sevan knew that this man knew his way around a fight. As his black hair flew about with each passing gust, the figure's pale white clothes drank in the evening sun, emanating a bright orange hue. At his side, he carried what Sevan assumed were weapons. They made eye-contact from afar.

"Finally..."

As the traveler reached the base of the bridge, Sevan rose, clearing his parched throat of a day's worth of dust. He slunk his Ordynka-Khegart over his right shoulder, using his hand to lazily balance it. Dragging his bare-feet across the baking stone, Sevan meandered to the half-way point. Stopping, he extended his left arm forward, informing the traveler to slow as he approached.

"This is a toll bridge; you got gold?"