By now most people would have tired of the city of Essyrn and moved onward and upward. They would have moved through the desert seeking the riches and sights of other cities, but not our hero. No, for he is as a child kept from the world too long. He doesn't have to seek wonder, for all around him are new sights and smells. He is free now, and the world is his oyster...
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Kohl walked through the crowd of merchants and peasants like a holy man through parted seas. Young and old alike stepped from his path fearing the stride of a man large enough to step upon them. Kohl, though, took no notice.
For people he had seen before, and they held no real interest for him. His gaze settled not on the people, but darted from side to side on the busy street.
"Look here!" He would think to himself as he passed a merchant selling jewelry. Or, "By the sands!" He would exclaim as a man thrust alien animals in his face for a meal. "N-no thank you, sir," he stammered brushing the man's hand away.
Ah! but look here as he sees one food he knows and loves: mystery kebab! What meat is this? He didn't even care.
He chewed slowly, relishing the strange spices and allowing the tastes to play over his tongue.
"Hey!" A voice rang out, disturbing his momentary delight, "I hope you have the two copper that costs!"
Kohl looked around himself to make sure he was the one the merchant was--
"Yeah you! You better cough up two copper, or the guard will have your hand for thievery!"
Kohl swallowed harshly, and a cold sweat broke across his brow.
"I don't have any copper sir, and even then why would I ave to give it to you? I don't understand."
The merchant cocked and eyebrow and waggled his finger, "Ahhhh, some smart mouth looking for trouble, aye? Guards! Guards! Thief!"
Two stalls down they appeared. Two men in the official garb of the city guard already unsheathing longswords and quickly approaching.
"I do not know what I have done wrong! Please, I'll give it back!" He began to spit up what he had as the merchant jumped back and exclaimed in a foreign tongue.
"Guards, get him! He is a thief!"
The guards picked up pace to a mild trot and reached the stall. One stood aside as the other placed a hand on Kohl's arm, "Calm down, boy and come with--"
Kohl's quick reflexes caught the best of him as the guard was sent up, and then gravity did its job in bringing him down once more with a loud THUD!
The second guard sprung, but Kohl had a head start sprinting down an alley, directionless and full of fear.
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So begins our hero's new life of freedom on the streets of Essyrn. Perhaps you could call him a child kept from the world too long.
Or perhaps he is like a lion, kept caged too long...
