The Master of Uradan

Once again, Rohan was finding himself with his cape hiding his face from the burning sun. He rode on his horse, while the carts of the Blackwolf clan were all around him, making a small trail of sand and dust go into the sky.

While he was advancing with a book in his hand, he abruptly remembered what he was doing at such a time a few years ago.

At that time, he was also reading a book. That could have been about a story, a romantic one, about history or geography, anything. But the most important difference between now and then was the juice that was on the table near him. The chair he was relaxed on. The light sun lighting him. The garden surrounding him, and the light wind caressing his face. And Jonas, always there to serve him for the best.

And now here he was, with the atrocious heat making his rank 5 Beginner Warrior body want to melt. He was of course exaggerating it, as it was only uncomfortable for him, but he was still hating the sun to his very core.

Since the clan had taken back the road a few days ago, they had always advanced, in the same direction. South. Now wasn't the time to stroll around to research some good paradise to live one. It was time to reach Kolmos mountain.

On this peculiar day, after Rohan had chased away his good memories to plunge back inside his botanic book, a perturbation came from afar. The whole clan roared at this sight, making Rohan look at what was happening.

There, to their left, was another trail of sand going up to the sky. It was still quite a distance away, but Rohan knew immediately what it was: another clan.

The Blackwolf clan cheered and shouted, and like a single man, without the clan chief ordering anything, all the carts changed their direction to the other clan.

Rohan didn't understand what was happening, as the cheers of the clan's members were a bit strange in his ears. They were joyful, yes. But it wasn't the joy expected when they saw another friend. It was more savage. It was dark.

As if what they saw weren't friends, but preys.

The clan moved forward, with Rohan slightly at the rear. Shouts of excitement still echoed here and there, and the view was becoming clearer and clearer.

The other clan had also seen them, but compared to the excess of happiness exuding from the Blackwolf clan, their movement was much more restrained. They simply stopped where they were, waiting there as the dust around them was falling back.

A few minutes later, Rohan was able to see how many nomads there were in this clan, and from what he could see, the number wasn't that different from the Blackwolf clan. There were maybe a dozen carts in less than for the clan he was following.

A clan was approaching, while another one was waiting for them. Rohan couldn't see the visages of these nomads, but he felt as if doom had befallen on them. As he was thinking about what was happening, he saw all the nomads get out of the cart.

Rohan widened his eyes. His expression became serious, and his left hand posed itself on his sword. They all left with a spear in their hands. But what baffled the young warrior was their postures. With tense movements, they put themselves in front of their carts.

All young, old, women and men were there. What seemed to be the leader as well as the most important ones of the clan were standing upfront. It was at that time that the Blackwolf clan stopped the karags.

Apprehension grew inside his heart. Rohan didn't comprehend at all what was happening. It was at this moment that he reckoned something he had heard about the Barren Lands.

He had forgotten about it since he had only met a clan, and they were quite welcoming for the most part.

The Barren Lands were said to be continuously at war.

Every member left their carts, with a weapon in their hands. They all directed themselves toward the waiting clan in front of them.

The tension was palpable for Rohan as he followed them. But it wasn't the same one he had felt when he was in the ranks attacking a city. That was why the warrior didn't understand.

The fight seemed to be imminent. It was as if the two groups were scornfully eyeing each other. But even so, they were walking leisurely. They were all with a smile on their lips, even talking among them as they moved behind Dairas taking the lead.

As no more than ten steps separated the two leaders, the Blackwolf clan stopped their march. Rohan was almost expecting a huge warcry followed by a rush forward, claiming the lives of the other clans. But what he saw almost made his jaw hit the rocks.

"Chief of the Blackwolf clan, it is a pleasure and an honor for us to meet you." The leader of the opponent's clan bent his body to bow in front of Darias. "The Greybat clan is honored by your presence."

This man was old. He had grey hair going on his back, and a white beard reaching his chest. Even though he was looking old, his muscles were still there and shown proudly. But in front of the Blackwolf clan, he only bowed his head.

"The Greybat clan? It is a pleasure to meet you all." Only a smile stretched on Darias face. "So, I believe you are ready, right?"

His voice was powerful. It was such a contrast with his usual self that it created tension targeting Rohan.

"Yes, we are, chief of the Blackwolf clan." Even though he was overly polite, Rohan still perceived the sadness and hopelessness the old man was feeling.

This one looked behind him and nodded at someone. Rohan couldn't see his expression, but he felt that he didn't want to. The one being designated nodded back solemnly and advanced with his spear between his hands.

He was a middle-aged man, with brown hair tied in the same way as everyone here. He glanced a bit at a young man behind him, and as if he was ready to fight his greatest foe, he walked with a fierce expression and posted his body at his chief clan side.

Darias looked behind him and designated one of the rank 1 Beginner Warriors waiting there. This one showed an excited expression as he leaped forward. He wasn't wearing a spear, only his sword at his side.

As the chief of the Blackwolf clan had looked behind, his eyes crossed Rohan's, for not even a breath. But it was enough. It wasn't the look of the kind middle-aged man, strolling around in the morning and resting in the afternoon.

No. It was the eyes of a powerful leader, having an iron grasp over the situation.

What was happening? Rohan could only guess. He was sure that a fight would burst at any moment, but it seemed as if it was only the two designated fighters who would duel each other.

The other members of both clans were merely spectators.

Not even ten minutes had passed since the two clans had seen each other from far away.