[Erenthril Mael'tharias]

….

There wasn’t much to be said. This was a set of unusual occurrences, and immediately Erenthril knew something was amiss. The cloud should have prevented the sunburn he’d been rather ardently hoping he could avoid, but instead, the heat scorched his skin regardless. A wind kicked up, thankfully not a sandstorm, but enough to do the desirable effects of making him rather uncomfortable. Adjusting his pants, Eren sighed and spat on the ground, almond eyes travelling as far as he could see and scanning the horizon. It was like being out in the middle of an ocean. An ocean of sand. Of sand, blistering heat, and cracked lips. He instinctively licked them, then swore beneath his breath and rubbed them anyway. Nikki would not be pleased.

Scouring around like a fool was not exactly a smart plan, but even Eren knew he needed to get out of the sun. He knew the environment was stacked against him, and he knew that the dealer held all the good cards in the deck. This was a gambit he wasn’t entirely sure he should have took, but after having chipped in the first two rounds, he might as well go all in. No sense in folding now…especially when the consequences of such seemed so…permanent.

Finding the cloud ineffective in what he’d originally intended it for, Eren began to re-shape the cloud, an apprentice technique, into something more substantial. Taking the weave of air, he mirror that of the nimbus spell – but instead wrapped it around his body. A shield of hard air. Enough to keep out the dust and sand that was cracking his lips and getting into his eyes, and perhaps save his current attire for a while at that. Scratching the back of his head, Eren threw up his hood and covered his skin from exposure. He could live with the heat…for the moment.

The cave was not far away. Regardless of whatever it was, it was indeed a wind break, and would get him out of the sun. Of course, it was most natural to suspect that since there was nothing else in this Jorel-sanctioned hellhole, the cave was probably a trap of sorts. After all, the odds were stacked against him.

But like that amateur poker player who’d mistakenly judged risk for opportunity, the Elf did what any other sane being would do – and sped off towards the shadowy dwelling.