"Who do you suppose he is?" I heard voices speaking.
"I don't know. I've never seen him before." Another voice responded, and I noticed their odd accent.
"And I certainly don't know why he'd be walking through the desert naked." A third piped up.
"Either way…he's coming to!" The first began, but exclaimed as I opened my eyes finally.
Several women were around me, studying me intensely.
All of them were tall, and had rabbit ears and long white hair.
They wore simple clothes, clearly those of a caravaneer's.
I noticed I was clad in only a simple loincloth.
"Nice to see you're awake." One of them began.
"Who are you exactly?" Another started.
"Way I've seen it, you're lucky to be alive." The third piped up.
I didn't answer, only able to groan in pain.
"My name is Jii, this is Helvaa, and she is Coela." Their leader sighed, and introduced herself and her companions.
"M…my name…my name is Ja-…." I managed to speak.
"Huh?" She was confused.
"My name is Abraham." I finished, speaking clearly now. My ragged voice now was strong as steel.
"Well…nice to meet you Abraham. Why…why exactly were you walking around naked in the Westersands of Dalmasca?" She blushed slightly.
"I…I don't know. I only know I…I have to get to that city." I lied quickly.
"I see. You mean Rabanastre? Sorry, but we just left there three days ago with important cargo for Nabudis." Jii apologized.
"But Jii!" Coela protested.
"Enough. I won't argue about it. I'm sorry, but we must part ways tomorrow." Jii cut her off.
"It's okay. I'll find my own way there." I interrupted.
Coela was visibly distraught, and even Jii seemed worried.
"Do you have any clothes?" I asked with a sigh.
"Yes. I think these will fit you." Helvaa broke in, handing me a set of clothing and a pair of boots.
I didn't really care for decency as I stood and dressed in front of them.
A simple set of gear, really.
A light chest piece made of sturdy black leather, and a set of grey gloves. A dark grey overcoat that was deceptively light, and finally black leather greaves and boots.
"Oh, and this might help with the sun and all." Coela gave me a bandana. A simple piece of black cloth that was heavily worn. I tied that around my head as well.
"I managed to treat your eye, but I have no idea how it was wounded so. I couldn't restore it, but I want you to have this." Jii sighed and gave me an eyepatch, which I wore over my right eye.
"And we figure it wouldn't be fair to send you without any protection, so keep this. Used to belong to the Elder of our village." Helvaa gave me a longsword made of silver Orichalcum. It was adorned with several symbols and the hilt was wrapped in black silk.
The pommel stone was an onyx, and the sheath was black leather.
I drew the sword and tested it, swinging the light yet razor-sharp blade back and forth slowly.
"Thank you. I truly appreciate what you have done for me." I thanked them, and excused myself.
I thought about shaving, but I felt that it was a part of me. I had kept a short beard during all my years of service to Adrammelech.
"Abraham?" I heard Coela.
"Yes?" I responded, turning to see her.
"I want to go with you." She instantly blurted.
"Why? You barely know me. What would you gain from such a thing?" I responded, taken off-balance.
"I don't want to spend all my life in this caravan. I can tell you are looking for the same thing I am. A purpose. And we can do that together." She explained.
"…Are you any good with a weapon?" I asked slowly.
She pulled two long knives out and threw them, making a bulls-eye at a tree several feet away. The second buried itself in the first knife.
"I guess you could say that." She smiled. Her hair was white, with black tinges and parts dyed.
She wore a simple set of gear, much like mine. A grey trench coat and a set of grey clothing underneath with grey boots. Knives lined her coat, of different shapes, lengths, and sizes.
"If you're sure…then I will allow you to travel with me." I relented, and her smile widened.
I looked out, gazing upon the lit city in the distance.
My destiny begins now.
And so does my story.