Colorful flags danced across the winds that swept through the sand-stone city of Essyrn. The buildings all glittered like polish white stones against the skies, and the heat- intense, as women and men alike swathed themselves from head to toe in clothing to protect themselves from the sun. It was this reason Iyla found no extra attention drawn her way as she slunk through the bustling city streets of Essyrn.
The desert city was immense, so consuming it stretched farther than the eye could see. But it wasn't sight Iyla was depending on. Clothed in her usual attire, she drew her cloak closer over her face and wiped at some of the sweat collecting on her brow. Though the heat was intense, she wasn't about to discard her leather armor, but she felt smothered in it. But it was necessary- not only for whatever protection it could offer, but to keep her gender secret. She found, in her times of travel, becoming a man made these sorts of treks much easier.
And so here it was, the glittering city of Essyrn. Pausing nearby the well in the city square, she stood in line to wait her turn to get a drink. Though as she did so, the vibrating ring inside her body started up again, and her red eyes cleaved through the streets. The shadow seed... she could feel it. But part of her tensed, for she hadn't felt it a second ago-
Was the seed on the move? And then it was there- the sensation burning hotter and wilder and her heart, drumming inside her ears. Where was it? Was it heading her way!? And by such a distraction she didn't notice the large man approaching, getting in line for a drink- and the momet he touched her she recoiled.
The man gave her a jolly smile, cheeks red and eyes sparkling.
"Sorry there, sir. I didn't mean to push. Hot day today, isn't it?"
Wrinkling her nose, she stared up at the behemoth of a happy man and gaped, though her lips were hidden behind a clothe, it was at their sudden physical contact that she knew- This man had the seed! And without warning, Iyla let out a cry, drawing out her spear and pointing it directly at he man's face.
"You have it!" she declared, voice gruff to hide her gender. "Hand over the black seed!"
And with the spear suddenly pointed at his throat, the large man blinked. He had NO idea what Iyla was going on about but the crowd around the well gasped and grew quiet, and seeing someone grow violent, a woman raced off and shouted, "The guards! The guards! Someone call the guards! A fight at the well! The well!"
But Iyla was ignorant to it all as she kept her spear pointed directly at his throat without relenting.
"What.. what on earth are you going on about? Are you mad?"
But Iyla would hear none of this as she pressed the metal sharply against him and he gasped.
"Careful with that thing!" the man exclaimed. "You could hurt someone!"
Iyla growled. "Just give me what I want and no one will get hurt."