[Adriana Sha'kaal]

Nightfall, Twenty-fourth of Immanis

The night air was sharp and cold, crisp as fall leaves as two figures walked through the streets. One, an Imperial Guard, was silently escorting the other, a young Baijani female, to the home of the Thane. The latter cast constant looks about her as she made her way through a new city. As if in welcome, a very surreal snow was falling, landing gently upon the muddied remains of last brightening's dusting. The Baijani wore worn travel clothes, with an old coat as her only warmth. Her long hair was pulled back between her shoulder blades, tangled from several days of travel. Her bearing was tired, her shoulders slumped, and her shivering was noticable.

As the two approached the Manor, the girl reached into the pocket of her coat, drawing out a crumpled and much-read document. Looking questionably at the guard beside her, she presented it to the soldiers at the gate of the manor. She spoke, her voice dry, her teeth only barely kept from chattering.

"Adriana Sha'kaal. I'm here to see Keldon." The soldiers looked over the letter, and cast dubious glances at the dishevled girl in front of them. Hardly the kind of character one would expect to be visiting the Thane. But the letter was clear. The soldier motioned lightly.

"Allright, go on. Someone'll get you at the door." He puased before returning the letter to her hand that had extended, silently demanding it back.

Adriana inclined her head in thanks, then trudged on through the gates, following the gravel path to the front of the manor. She stood there, looking at the imposing doors, and glanced to the two guardsman. "I'm Adriana... I have a letter, uh, from the Thane... Keldon is expecting me, right?"

The guards nodded, opening one of the large doors. Adriana slipped in, very ill at ease, and very confused. Days of travel, entering a new city with no garuntees, and feeling half-frozen left her mind a little muddled. Her eyes travled up, up and up, seeing far above the dark window that would normally illuminate the impressive foyer. She only dimly heard the guard announce her, and wondered where she should go. She felt half-numb, still shivering, and her mind went in constant circles of wondering what was here for her, and wishing Keldon would come, wishing she could feel a little surer of what was happening to her now. She had left the instant she had recieved the letter from Keldon, but had not thought about where she was really going. And now that she was here, she didn't know what to do. So she stood, arms crossed in an effort to keep warm, glancing about her and waiting for someone to come.