The Scorch

Alawn sat on the edge wall, feet hanging out in open air, looking out away from the city. Nothing but golden sands, speckled with the occasional outcropping of rocks, stretched as far as the eye could see. The Salvation River ducked in and out of view, weaving through the dunes like a string sewn through fabric. He had lived here for his whole life, a member of one of the few human families who lived in Lurran, his was the only wealthy or respected one. The rest lived in small houses on the edge of the city with little or no friends outside of their small community. He often wished he could change their situation, but not many people would do business with them. His father employed as many of them as he could, but not all of them had the skills or patience for the family business, gem appraisal was slow painstaking work.    Snapped from his pondering a guard came up the stairs behind him, chainmail clattering lightly.   "You know you shouldn't be up here Alawn. If your father found out you were up here he'd take it out of your hide." The woman had a kind look on her face, feeling for the boys free spiritedness.   "Just a few more minutes, Minna." He had jumped down ready to run, but hesitated when he realized which guard it was. "I'll just tell him you were teaching me how to gamble up here." He laughed at the  look on her face when he said this.   "Don't you dare, you little brat! Then he'd get the commander to take it out of my hide!" Her surprise quickly changed to laughter as she tossed the boys hair. "Now get out of here before your snarky mouth gets us both in trouble!" she tried to kick him in the ass as he walked past her.   With that Alawn ran down the stairs, laughing at her failed attempt.    "See you around Minna!"