Koli walked through the busy marketplace in Radasanth. It was a brilliant, beautiful sunny day, and the monk had his hood drawn over his head, not only to provide a shield from the sun, but also to shield his branded face. His kind was not welcome in parts like these- places suffocated with sin and people who care to do none other than participate in “the rat race.”

But that was what it all was, honestly. Everybody rushing from place to place, a whole community focused on nothing but money, greed, self satisfaction, and survival- all of which were subject to the political corruption and desecration of values and morality in humanity. Koli was not welcome here, nor did he belong here. He took an oath to protect the innocent, and these were not the innocent. Radasanth reminded him, in fact, of the ancient city of Granumn and Teturis. It was a city plagued with so much evil and sin that the creator itself wiped the city from the face of the earth. A similar story was that of the Tular Planes, in which there was so much evil and desecration of the good and of the innocent in the world that it had to be destroyed. Since then all civilizations in that area have been reset and circumstances have been made so that no major civilization could ever thrive there once more.

“Fresh fish!”

“How about some nice pecans?”

“Bread from the finest bakery in Corone!”

Suddenly a man impeded Koli’s path. He was tall with dark hair and a handsome complexion. Clad in shining boots, leather armor, and a sword on his hip, he struck a valiant pose and seemed to gleam in the sunlight with every aspect of perfection.

“Say man, have you given any thought to the Corone Guard?” he said, “If you want to learn how to fight, how to be a noble warrior, and how to serve a cause worthy of serving, then this is the place for you. Honor, courage, and gallantry are what we stand for, and you will not find a better cause to serve in the land. So what do you say? Will you make a man out of yourself yet?”

Koli stared back at the man and read into his being. Here was a man, masking something deep within with the promise of masculinity. He believed if he could be the best at something, then he could find meaning in his life. Granted, this man was the icon for every soldier- he was probably a womanizer, and a valiant fighter, and loyal to his cause- but he was still caught in the rat race. This man did not understand that in order to find value in his life, he had to look within. In order to serve something with meaning, he had to serve where his convictions lied, and adhere to that.

Koli stepped aside and continued through the crowd until he reached the secluded road.

The Rusty Wheel, he thought, This is my stop.