Phoenix

Chapter 3

   Bright midday sun shone over giant city. Sand made lazy whirls in air, only to softly land down again on heated ground. Near breathe of desert could be felt fairly well.

   A lonely desert hawk landed on small building. There weren't many houses that had more than two floors, only in far center of the city there were few towers and larger buildings. Small houses covered ground till very horizon. Mostly they were made from reddish clay or sandstone. Made in simple manner but with some skill, though creations like this didn't take much time they took lots of energy. There were no wooden houses. It was city in desert after all and even small grass was seen as miracle here.

   Sharp, hot wind blew in city streets and playful sand whirls turned into sharp blades that hit people, bad thing about sand is that it gets everywhere. People, that walked with pieces of cloth around their faces, didn't seem bothered by it at all. Youth or children even ran around almost without any clothing.

   In these outskirts of city those were mostly herders or poor merchants with their large families. But going further in city people slowly changed. Not looking at great heat they had lots of clothes on them. Mostly light brownish, probably once white. If northerner would ask them why do they dress like this, these people would just laugh. Those who live in desert know that clothes protect not only from cold but from heat too.

   Moving more to center of city scenery changed more. Now there were lots of different gardens and pools of water here. In shadows of some trees there could be heard songbirds. Women crowded around wells washing clothes and simply talking, making greatest noise.

   All people that walked here wore finer and more fancy looking clothes than those who lived in outer parts of city. Buildings here were bigger and with smaller or bigger towers. It seemed that houses simply couldn't be built without anything that could be called tower or something like that. Everything here shouted about royalty and belonging of rich man. People here were aristocrats, scientists and rich merchants, mostly last ones. Only rare mages walked here but they tried to look very important. Though they were mostly simple charlatans. Those who weren't were humans. Not that it's something special in lands of shape shifters.

   But let's go to explanations. This was one of three largest cities of shape shifters called Phenl. Odd name that was hard to say and remember, right to be loved by this folk. It is their name for fennec fox, creature that survives in sand and heat better than any other animal. Ruler of desert. Shape shifters always name their cities as animal that to their mind is best in these lands. Simply for good luck and wellbeing.

   But now lets go to our point of destination. In rather large and wide sandstone building, third window from left side. It was young man not youth but not adult too. He slept on table full with different papers and books. Parchment gently shook with every his breath. There were different drawings, diagrams and other things on them. Some of them were covered by his rather long, golden hair in soft waves. Male's skin was lighter than it usually is to livers of desert but still darker than skin of real northerner. All his look told about many days spent away from sunlight.

   Suddenly there was knock heard at aisle of door since there was no real door only half transparent peace of cloth. Hand, that was source of sound, quickly moved cloth away. Knocker was man too. He looked very similar to first one only little bit older. Though it wasn't enough to say anything for sure, families of desert livers are so great that sometimes they all seem related. When other male saw sleeping man he shook his head letting out a sight.

   "Samael?"

   He called with annoyance and amusement sounding in his voice in same time. His dark eyes were full with twit. After a moment of peaceful silence he called once more this time almost shouting.

   "Samael!"

   Youngest man jumped up looking around confused, still only partly awake. Two piercing blue orbs opened to sight.

   "Yes, yes brother! I'm already..."

   Oldest man laughed softly shaking his head again.

   "Yes, I see. Working till loose of any energy. I said you that staying awake all night won't be good. Again. You know I've even stopped counting times when I say you that... "

   Samael yawned widely and blinked few time rubbing his head picking up few papers that fell on ground when he jumped up. His moves were very careful and gentle. After that he stood up and slowly turned to his brother.

   "And what is so important that you call me while sun is so high, Lanfi?"

   "Meeting. With master Hawambi."

   Light blue eyes of Samael widened and he stepped forward picking up few books.

   "So we are going to West Tower? Or Wind Guild Center?"

   Lanfi shook his bead third time now looking more serious that few moments ago with something that could be called worry flashing in his eyes.

   "No. He is already here."

   Now his voice sounded thoughtful and worry could be defined without doubt. Eyes of Samael widened even more as he ran out from room trying to catch up with Lanfi, who was fast to disappear in hall.