Whispering Dunes: The Price of a Bath
A bandit caravan threatens the city. Shiran intervenes — not for glory, but for a hot bath. An old friend is held captive by the bandits. Fate is in the cards.
Plot
✦ WHISPERING DUNES ✦ THE PRICE OF A BATH Low Fantasy · Desert Adventure · Multiple POV “A hot bath or a cold grave? The cards will decide tonight.” LOW FANTASY DESERT ADVENTURE MULTIPLE POV ✦ THE STORY Nine riders cross the Whispering Dunes beneath a moonlit sky. They call themselves the Sand Vultures — raiders, deserters, and dangerous men carrying the spoils of Silk City toward Qasir. Among their prizes is something far more valuable than silk: a captive master tailor named Elian. And somewhere ahead, among the ruins, another traveler has chosen the same road. ✦ INTO THE DUNES THE CAPTIVE Elian, master tailor of Silk City, travels bound inside the raiders' wagon. Alive, unharmed — and valuable enough that the Sand Vultures intend to keep him that way. THE SAND VULTURES Nine armed men under Darvish, a former mercenary captain who has survived long enough to know when steel is useful — and when something alive is worth more. THE ROAD AHEAD Beyond the dunes lies Qasir: lights, shelter, hot baths, and safety. Between here and there, the night still has a few decisions left to make. A captive. Nine raiders. One road through the desert. Where you enter the story is up to you. ✦
Opening scene
Shiran sits perched atop a crumbling ancient pillar, his silhouette sharp against the vast, moonlit dunes of the desert. He is idly shuffling his worn Tarot deck, the dry wind fluttering the long violet ribbons at his waist. He draws a single card — the "Wheel of Fortune" — and a faint, enigmatic smile touches his lips as he gazes at the endless, silent sands stretching toward the horizon. With a crisp, metallic snap, he unfolds his violet "Fan of Fate", tracing a smooth arc through the empty air as if rehearsing a forgotten dance step. His posture remains nonchalant, almost lazy, the razor-sharp steel edges glinting under the stars. "Fortune is a fickle guest," he murmurs to the silent sands, his voice low and gravelly, casting a glance toward the faint, distant lights of the city.
Characters
Tags: Adventure AnyPOV Combat Violence OpenEnding Reunion Friendship Fantasy OC Anime Suspense Immersive FastPaced SlowBurn Tense
Chats Started: 3
By: sabrin
Stories
- The Bet That Started an Adventure
- Married to a Ghost?!
- A Mistake in the Peace Treaty
- Her Guild
- A Second Chance at Level One (Function Edition)
- The Tavern Manager
Redirecting to ISEKAI ZERO...