"Respected Gatekeepers." Without stepping down from the carriage or removing the hood that hid his face, Sevrak inclined his head in a restrained bow as he addressed them. "I am Dragon Rider Sevrak, ruler of the Umbraen people. I have returned to my lands after a short absence."
He had not seen these 2 when he passed through the gates on his way out, but he did not doubt they had heard his name and would remember it, at least.
After all, four months meant little to people like them, beings who supposedly lived for thousands of years.
"Dragon Rider Sevrak…" one of the Gatekeepers murmured, drawing the name out as though he were searching through an old memory.
The other spoke next, filling in what that hesitation implied. "I thought the Umbraen kingdom no longer existed. Didn't your people all perish?"
Sevrak understood the intent behind this question. This was a test, designed to understand his true purpose.
