Arrival in Lamaith

Deep in the nation of Pandema lay the city of Lamaith. A normally beautiful place filled with lush vegetation and fine-looking fountains, heralded as one of the country’s greatest cities for it’s sheer aesthetic delight. However, this was no-longer so. Numerous buildings were crumbling at their foundations, small sets of flames blazed in every visible corner, the famous fountains sprayed water randomly around and all of the vegetation was charred black. A terrible force had ravaged the city and rocked it to it’s very core, the dead and dying littered the ground, having sacrificed themselves in vain trying to halt the destruction, some still clutching their weapons with whatever strength they had left.
A tall, dark clothed figure strolled through the city gates, or at least the gateway now left completely open. From under his hood he surveyed the scene before him and took no surprise from what he saw, after all this was not the first Pandeman city he had visited. As he walked toward the remains of the city square, strong winds began to swirl around the wrecked architecture, lifting the traveller’s cloak, revealing heavy black greaves on his feet and a shining metal scabbard at his waist, the rest of him remained hidden by the garment.
It seemed that the only sounds that filled the air were the crackling of flames and sobs of those who had lost their loved ones. The traveller caught sight of one such person, presumably a father, holding the lifeless body of a teenage girl, from what he could see at that distance she was clad in some sort of armour.
Perhaps she tried to face it. Young warriors can be very naïve, and now she is gone, no doubt she’ll be rewarded for her valour. As he thought, the traveller slowly walked toward the scene. The father looked up sharply, seemingly shocked by the presence of another. Upon seeing the dark clothing of the traveller the man took a sword from the girl’s motionless hand, carefully laid her back on the ground and stood up.
For the first time, the traveller was able to see the man’s face clearly, he had the characteristic tanned skin of Pandeman natives and dark brown slicked back hair, greying slightly along the hairline. His face was sharp and had a few early wrinkles that defined the skin. He had dark brown eyes, which the traveller could see had intense hurt and a desire for vengeance burning inside. The man was dressed in dirty green workers clothes over a white vest. He had fair muscles underneath his shirt, it seemed likely this man was a carpenter or the like.
The man spoke as the traveller finished surveying him, “What business do you have here? Outsiders are not welcome, not anymore!” His voice rose to a shout and he lunged toward the man, desperately swinging the sword. The blade ran across the travellers chest, slicing the front of his cloak open. The traveller however, made no movement, for he was wearing strong black armour underneath, which through the shreds of cloak that were left, was now visible.
The man made another weak slash, which the traveller firmly batted away with the back of his hand, which was encased in black gauntlets that ran up his arm. With growing fear, the desperate father made one last swing at the traveller, and found his arm in the tight grip of the black armoured figure. In pain, he dropped the sword to the ground and began to struggle. The traveller threw him to the ground, just in front of the girl he had been mourning and then removed the ruined cloak that he had been wearing.
The travellers face became visible, he had long black hair that ran down his back, his jaw was square and was covered by a thin sheet of whiskers. His nose was pointed and had a scar running over it from the corner of his left eye down to his right cheek. He had blazing green eyes and rough, pale skin which all seemed to accentuate the stern gaze he had adopted.
The man looked up at the traveller and began to edge backwards a little, quite clearly fearful for his life as now he had no way to defend himself. However, the traveller only stood still and did not break his stare at the man, even when he finally spoke.
“I realise that you only attacked me out of the pain you are feeling. That is your daughter am I right?”
The man looked up and nodded nervously, “Y…Yes” He looked back at the girl’s body and a tear began to roll down his cheek. “P…Please, spare me Sir.”
“On this occasion, yes I shall, but only because of two things. Firstly I need to know where I might find the thieves guild. Secondly, I too have a daughter about her age and I understand the torment you are feeling. Think yourself lucky this time.”
“A thousand thanks kind Sir. The…”
The traveller cut in quickly. “I’m not kind. I told you, you have been lucky this time. Now where is the thieves guild?”
The man swallowed hard and pointed toward a dim alleyway in the distance. “There is a tavern down there, that’s where they meet. It will be difficult to get in though, unless you have something good to offer. Those unfeeling bastards, I bet that even now they are in there drinking themselves stupid. They gave up family and friends for monetary gain, they truly are…”
The traveller cut in again, “I don’t care what you think of them, I need information from a unit that travels this land and they strike me as a good choice. Thankyou for the direction.” He began to walk away, heading for the alley.
I wonder if he recognised me? He didn’t give any indication that he had. The only reason he attacked me was  because he thought I meant him more harm. ‘Seems Pandema really is up in arms about this. I was sent to find out what was going on but all I keep finding is destruction and lack of knowledge. I hope the guild can shed more light on this than anyone else has already.