Shadow of Hope IX
As the odd group assembled and then began preparing their makeshift shelter, an unassuming figure on horseback watched from a distance. The times were perilous and a sure notion of the places one walked into was a precaution that was not a luxury. Still, the hooded rider knew when to just let what may be run its course without excess planning and undue wariness. He urged his riding steed to begin their descent down the rolling series of knolls, mindful of the slick grass and lifeless muddy patches which riddled the area.
He strolled up to the emerging camp without much fanfare, though it amused him to think a few cheap tricks of the eye and some arcane sparks might make his entrance more grand, but who was he kidding? He had a long way to go before reaching the might deserving of such applause.
He hopped off his horse and handed the reins to the boy dealing with the mounts. He had surmised he was handling all of them; a few others did so after his superior took the reins of Erellia’s horse. One more wouldn’t hurt.
Once his booted feet were firmly on the ground, he waited for a bit before heading towards the finished canopy to get himself out of the dismal weather and all thought of it. The hood to his dark lavender blue cloak flowed off without any movement. Underneath the newcomer wore dark blue travel robes, banded at the waist with leather pouches and no visible weapons.
He ran a hand over his blond hair, the action not doing much to remove the matted look it received while under the hood. Though within a few moments, the tresses unraveled and soon waved like golden wheat in the sun. The long sideburns which connected with his short beard radiated against his tanned skin and conveyed an almost leonine appearance.
The young man adjusted his now dry cloak then fiddled with the clasp, a brass colored metal forming concentric circles into a hexagonal formation enclosed by another larger circle. The movement revealed some orange trim on his clothing that seemed like esoteric text embroidered in scrolling flames.
He stood slightly off from the center of the canopy, near enough to the man offering tea, but not making any indication of wanting any. There he glanced over each and every one of them with curious discretion. Like amethyst, his deep blue eyes, dark almost like the magenta night sky such a day would become, shone in the firelight waiting for everyone to settle in.