[i]Arrival to Paradise[/i]
[b]Lord Governor Dalleio Beachborn Sunwalker of Paledune, the Sultan of Paradise (2 - 45)[/b]
[quote=Emillian Rastava, the Goldleaf, Chronicler of the Wind and Stars, Third Merchant-Prince of Bylleseus, House Haedulus, 32]Our arrival to the city was delayed through unforeseen circumstances and a slew of ill fortune. Our party cut southeast from edge of the Shimmering Coast, tracing the southern edge of the Blackstone Mountains at my demand. Our wares would have been rendered less than worthless, had we braved the Paledunes as my quartermaster begged of me. "Furs and sand do not, and shall never mix!" I told Bertanto, and the discussion was ended.

No matter the cost, I insisted that we take the longer, more secure route. The added benefit of easier riding was but a byproduct of my foresight! How was I to know that the journey would take such a length?

And, had Quartermaster Bertanto packed more efficaciously before our untimely departure, I imagine our small party would have been well equipped for the extended detour. As it were, several of the men were forced to hunt for their meals, and I was forced to ration our dwindling resources so that I might be in proper form to greet Lord Sunwalker upon our arrival. I, of course, required sustenance befit of my post, though I doubt the others would have understood such necessities.

By the end of the third month of travel, several of the men in my company were expressing severe doubts as to whether such a journey had ben made before under my leadership. I pronounced to all the camp that, should they find fault with my leadership, they might leave the company at the next fork, and be on their merry ways, freed of my supposed incompetence.

And so it was, that upon our arrival to the city of Paradise, my fine company was a mere fraction of its original force. Myself, the loyal Bertanto, and ten other armsmen and merchants, flung open the gates of Paradise upon my command. We entered the gates as brothers, hardened by iron will, shared struggles, and universal pangs of hunger. I, myself, was still fit to wrestle with the finest of the Horsespear clan, whatever the conditions of the others. Nevertheless, we had arrived, and, after my meeting with the esteemed Lord Sunwalker, we would be quite richer for it.[/quote]
[quote=Emillian Rastava, the Goldleaf, Chronicler of the Wind and Stars, Third Merchant-Prince of Bylleseus, House Haedulus, 32]The esteemed Lord Sunwalker welcomed me to his home with great ceremony. I daresay, word of my imminent arrival had spread far and wide across the land. The furs, fabrics, and silks of my guild were well received, but my business transactions are not to be the subject of any of my journal scrawls.

Lord Sunwalker himself shook my hand, four suns after our arrival. By then, the others of our party had made quite a show of their wares, and I felt their unspoken gratitude from across the city, for my wise guidance around the Paledunes. The gentleman within me restrained me from reminding my fellows of such.

"Prince Rastava," said Lord Sunwalker. "I am most honored to meet you at last. I trust your trip was uneventful?"

"Quite manageable, my Lord," said I, "though bandit and poor weather did stay our progress briefly. Myself, and the other brave men of the convoy, were more than sufficient to remove those ruffians from their lives. My blade was well fed by the trip, as was my lust for adventure."

"Truly fortuitous!" said Sunwalker. "I pray your blade remains sated for the duration of your trip, for the sake of all [i]ruffians[/i] within my walls." He laughed, and I with him, though my mirth died shortly after. "I was surprised to hear of your decision to add so much time to your journey. Your finery must surely outstrip the clothing of the gods themselves, to extend your journey to thrice the original length!" 

"I have been informed as such, my Lord." I let no fraction of my mottled spirit show on my face. "Such precautions were necessary to preserve the quality of my wares for the finest of the Kingdom's generals."

Sunwalker laughed again, his teeth flashing in the light. "Such noble devotion to your wares is most appreciated, friend. Will you stay in Paradise long?"

"So long as my coin and trade remain constant, and I have friends to call my own, my Lord." I fully intended to count Lord Sunwalker among those friends by the end of my time in his city. "Your illustrious city has thus far provided an abundance of enjoyers. Soon I shall write to my Guild in Bylleseus, so that we might establish a more permanent route between my guild and your coffers." Perhaps the Lord was impressed by my brashness, for he raised an eyebrow and chortled.

"I look forward to that day, Prince Rastava. Please know that you are welcome in Paradise so long as you remain fair, productive, and well-behaved." He offered his hand again, which I took firmly in mine own.

I recall little else of that night, though I was invited to attend dinner with the royal family at the next moment which convenienced me. I shall write about such events when they occur. Until next time.[/quote]
[quote=Emillian Rastava, the Goldleaf, Chronicler of the Wind and Stars, Third Merchant-Prince of Bylleseus, House Haedulus, 32]"You may not have known this, Prince Rastava, but you were well-informed to avoid the Paledunes such as you did." I recall this exchange above any other at the dinner which I attended, for it fortified in my mind the intellect of a great man.

I nodded graciously to the lord, and set down my cutlery. "What reason have you to say that, my Lord?"

"Those who leave into the Paledune expanse do not always return." I do not recall whether Lord Sunwalker jested. His face was hard lined and motionless. "The Masrak, and other fiends, are said to stalk the sands."

My knife was slippery with grease from the delightful meal, for it slipped from my grasp to the table below. "The Masrak, my Lord?" said I, after a pause.

"A vicious beast, said to be responsible for the creation of the desert kingdom you now see. Tall as a mountain, and monstrous as any demon. There are rumors of entire caravans being sucked from the sand, removed from this land as if by the hand of a god. Yet pits of charred sand remain in their places. This is but a fraction of the power of the Masrak. Thus, it is fortunate you avoided the sands until the end of your journey, else you might have never arrived here at all."

For a long moment, the Lord Sunwalker and I exchanged dubious looks. My hands shook with a desire to find this beast and strike it from the earth. I moved to pick up my knife, so that I might continue eating, but it clattered again to the table. To have such fiery thoughts of heroism! Few will know the tremors my hands felt that day.

At that moment, Lord Sunwalker erupted into raucous laughter. "But of course, that is but myth and hearsay! My kingdom would not have lasted against such a beast. I apologize if I frightened you, my friend. Rest assured that there is no danger within Paradise! Or outside our walls, for your swordsmanship is surely legendary, by your own account."

Nothing of import followed. For the rest of the night I was cordial to Lord Sunwalker and his wife, who arrived later to wish me well. I soon left the table and retired to bed thereafter, having been well received by the Sultan of Paradise.[/quote]