Four - Alden

I raced back quickly to get to my small dusty home. The wind began to pick up, blowing me off my feet more then once, and causing tears to constantly run down my face as sand whipped against my face. About two miles from my village, I was once again blown off my feet, the wind beginning to twist the sand about me. My body was shaking, having grown weak from the constant fight to stand. I felt like giving up, my lungs burned and my throat was raw from all the sand I was inhaling, and I was beginning to feel like there were a thousand cut on my eyes.

I pounded my fist into the sand. If I was more like my brother this never would have happened. I choked back a few tears and glanced about. Then my eyes landed on a kind of home. I squinted to see clearer, but all I could make out in the midst of the storm was a dark tent shape in the distance. It was better than nothing, so I mustered up what strength I had left and dashed for the sanctuary I had spotted.

As I grew nearer, I noticed the Elder symbol of an eye with a mountain as a pupil on a crooked wooden sign in front of the giant tent. The home was about half the size of our town alone, and stretched wide across the area, held up by several wooden beams. Unlike our basic skins in our town, the Elder's home was made of a marbled pattern from a rare spotted species that was considered to be most noble in the Brackin territory.

Glancing behind me, I noticed the storm growing stronger and closer by the second. Taking some quick calming breathes I ran to the far side of the Elder's home. I then slid under one of the pelts, being carful to tack it back down once inside. I found myself in a small room full of wooden boxes and old furniture falling apart due to rot. I supposed I was in some kind of storage closet. I went to the nearest wall and listened for voices, but with the sound of the howling winds roaring, no other sound could be heard. I figured this was a room not ventured into regularly, so it wouldn't hurt to just check out a few of the boxes.

I slid the lid off of one of the boxes, and it was full of scrolls. Picking one of them up I unrolled it carefully. Scrawled across the long page were symbols I had not seen before and meant nothing to me. I rolled it back up and put it back. Closing the lid, I moved to another box that was more rectangular in shape. Within that box were several old scimitars, some chipped and others rusted.

I examined a few of them until I realized the sound of wind had almost vanished. I quietly placed the scimitar back and replaced the lid, just as a loud shout came from the nearby room.

"What do you mean they aren't our allies?" It was a booming noise, which I've heard command our people almost daily, our Elder Callow.

"I saw it with my eyes." The other voice seemed to hiss. "The Brackin are growing restless, you know you must be the ones to strike first if you are to win."

"I see no reason to strike at Nami when he and I are such good allies." Callow reasoned.

"It's your funeral then. Do not say Lesion did not worn you."

I dropped down to my stomach and lifted the bottom of the divider, curious as to who would try to persuade our people of all people into war. There was a long green tail before my eyes, and a cloak resting over scaled feet. Surely this was none other than the Viridi Elder, whom I had never heard of before. Around here we are told never to speak their names because they are useless to us. It was a waste of time for our people.

Callow sighed, as if in a deep pain that cannot be seen. "And you are certain of Nami's intent?"

"Oh, why would I lie about things such as this?" Lesion practically purred.

I slid back and dashed out under the tent. Our Elder Callow may not see it, but there was no doubt in my mind that our people were about to be subject to a war that would only destroy everyone but the Viridi. I always knew our people were stupid, regardless of the "scientific" discoveries. No one around here even thinks for themselves, but I have to try my best to warn them.