The Horseman of Calamity

Chapter 5 - Desert Storm

The emperor sat on his balcony, enjoying the grandiose view of his vast empire's capital city. He was dressed rather appropriately for the dry blistering heat: he had a white linen skirt wrapped around him and a thin silk cloth wrapped around his torso like a toga. Outside, the palm trees swayed in the desert wind as farmers toiled and merchants haggled with the prices of their goods. The aroma of several spices mixed together formed a hodgepodge of piercing scents that drifted through the city.

"Your imperial highness, sir, the scouts have found what they believe to be an ancient death energy-consuming artifact. It is, unfortunately, just north of the city of Razem." The servant handed the emperor a drawing of a cubic machine.

"Good, it's there like I thought. Send out some men to secure the area around it before those dirty Hasts try to capture it. I need that artifact secured as soon as possible." The emperor took a sip from his wine glass.

"As for that foreigner, as soon as he makes his reappearance, I want a proper plan made for his capture. If another disaster occurs like the one three months ago...then I'll be having your blood used for my next portrait."

"Of course your imperial highness." The servant gulped, his body bending over into a deep, rigid bow.

"Though his presence doesn't scare me in the slightest, I do wonder if he is actually from another world as those Hasts claim. I need to see proof that his sword is capable of what they say. One more thing, begin mobilization of the army. I have a feeling those Hasts will want to get their slimy hands on our rightful belongings."

The emperor leaned back on his couch and sighed as the servant left the room. His eyes looked over the view of his marvelous city as it glowed orange with the rising sun. As he looked past his balcony, a man dressed in a black suit with slicked-back black hair hovered up from the ground, seemingly standing upon a dust devil. He landed on the balcony before he strode into the emperor's room without so much as a look at the emperor. His clothing seemed to almost contrast that of the emperor's. It was tight and restrictive, yet, the man seemed as cool as ever as there wasn't even a single drop of sweat on his brow. He adjusted his necktie before throwing a casual greeting at the emperor.

"Morning, Zuleimann. Heard you were wanting to capture that boy." The suave man flicked his wrist and the dust devil behind him scattered into the wind.

"Egalt, how many times do I have to tell you, address me properly, I still have an image to keep up even if there is no one around." Emperor Zuleimann tapped his wine glass with his fingers.

Egalt laughed as he tapped his foot on the limestone floor, "My bad, your Imperial Highness, anyway, I came here to ask you for a favor."

Emperor Zuleimann's eyebrow raised as he continued lazily lying on his sofa, "And what does my dear friend, the Horseman of Famine, require this time?"

"It's about Tannabriss, she's on the move again. She's been expanding her territory in the East near the Rung Jungle, I'm sure it'll only be a matter of time before she encroaches on your land too. I'm not asking for much but I'm telling you to keep her in mind, she is dangerous. As for the favor I need to ask you... I want you to send an ambassador with me to the Kentrikos Kingdom. I have a little gift for their king."

"That is quite the request, I'll keep it in mind. No promises though, Egalt." Egalt nodded to Zuleimann's response and coolly walked toward the balcony. He snapped his fingers and a dust devil formed again, he then jumped onto its center and floated away.