Natalai arrived alone, but she wasn't lonely. She had the wind at her back, and the sand at her feet. The stars watched over her, and every day she was lost in dreams.

Every step took her deeper into a strange land. The lights of the outpost twinkled in the distance, beckoning her to come closer. Something about this place seemed surreal. Fog hung over the sands. The twilight cast an eerie glow over the faces of her fellow travelers. Natalai smiled to herself, thinking of how she would sleep in a comfortable bed for the first time in weeks.

The fortress stood proudly in the desert. Its majestic towers were adorned with banners of crimson and gold. Water surrounded it on all sides, and desperate travelers wept with joy at the riverbanks as they enjoyed their first drink in days. Countless bridges stretched out over the water. As she crossed the first bridge, Natalai admired the elaborate carvings that decorated it. Travelers briskly walked by her. Most of them appeared to be in a hurry, and all but a few kept their eyes fixed straight ahead.

Unlike the others, Natalai wasn't in a hurry. She felt overwhelmed by the beauty of the outpost. She wasn't used to the architecture in these lands. It was shockingly different from the dullness of her village. She stopped on the middle of the bridge and stared at the castle in the distance. Even in the poor lighting, the exquisite craftsmanship was obvious. Countless balconies hung off the side of the outpost, and tapestries hung from almost every tower. Lines of windows stretched endlessly down the walls, decorated with torches that burned brightly in the night. However, it was hard to appreciate the glory of the superior architecture from this distance. Natalai decided to venture closer.

Continuing along the long stone pathway, she took in all her surroundings. The road was lined with vendors selling everything she could imagine. To her right, a shady looking old woman grinned as she showed off her wares. A few feet away, an alchemist bragged about how at long last, he had finally uncovered the secret to eternal youth. A few people gathered around their carts, but all of them looked relatively uninterested. Natalai chuckled to herself.

There was a strange crowd hanging around the outpost tonight. Even from a distance, Natalai knew what she was getting herself into. This place was far from home, and the people here were different.

It had been a long time since this lone adventurer had a decent conversation. Over the past few weeks, her only company had been the beasts that prowled through the desert. But unlike most of the people here, her eyes weren't dull with loneliness. They were full of life, and eager to gaze upon new and exciting places.

She was getting closer to the outpost, now. She was overwhelmed by strange smells. Unfamiliar music filled her ears, and a perfume vendor beckoned to her and tried to get her to smell her latest brew. Natalai ignored her, transfixed by the castle ahead. She noticed that each block of the foundation must be as large as her shack back in the village.

At long last, Natalai was at the gates. She stood before the mammoth doors and smiled to herself. She wasn't sure what awaited her inside, but she was eager to find out. Taking a deep breath, she walked inside.