Check the Tent Out

"Let's take a quick look." You say. "It's the only lead we have here."

"Okay." Doe says. "I hope whoever was leaving those markings we followed is friendly." You do too, but you don't exactly feel sure about it. The two of you cautiously approach the tent and see some crude drawings of various objects all around the sides. Swords, knights, princesses, animals...all things indicative of fairy tales.

"This is a little weird." You admit as you approach the flap that opens into the tent. You slowly push it aside to peer in when the end of a stick juts out and smacks you in the face. You yell out in surprise and pain and tumble to the ground, clutching your left eye. Thankfully the stick just missed putting your eye out. Doe quickly rushes to your side and kneels down next to you.

The tent flap swishes aside and a thin elderly African man walks out, clutching his stick like a sword. His body was shaking as he stares the two of you down. He was wearing loose beige robes and his black hair was tied back in a ponytail. "Who are you? Why have you come here?"

"W-what?" You ask, still trying to get a hold of yourself. "Why the hell did you hit me in the face?"

KILL THIS OLD BASTARD! SLIT HIS THROAT AND GUT HIM LIKE A TROUT! TEAR OUT HIS INSIDES AND VIOLATE HIS CORPSE WITH THAT DAMN STICK!

"If you are from the Black Citadel, then be warned that I will not be taken easily!" The old man snarled.

"The Black what?" You ask, your head throbbing as the shadows in your mind assaulted you with violent suggestions.

"John, please!" Your companion hushes you. "Sir! I assure you we are not from any Citadel! My name is Doe...and I am a Guardian."

"The hell? Why are you spilling all our secrets!" You hiss. "We don't know if we can trust this..."

"A Guardian?" The old man asked. "Truly? I did not think I would ever meet another in this wasteland."

"Hold up. You're a Guardian too?" You ask.

"I could sense it." Doe nodded.

"Indeed. Now I can sense you too, Doe. I apologize for my harsh introduction. My name is Bhekizitha." He lowers his stick and uses it to balance himself, like a walking stick.

"How long have you been here?" Doe asked.

"Too long." Bhekizitha said sadly. "But lets get into my tent. Out of range of watchful eyes." As he says this, his eyes scan the featureless gray sky. "I will explain things further in there."